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Biomedical subjects

F Azizi

Publications and source records attributed to F Azizi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Monitoring iodine following consumption of iodized salt in Tehrani inhabitants.

As the production, distribution and consumption of iodized salt has increased in recent years, this study was carried out to assess iodine status in Tehran in 1996. 1146 families comprising 5140 subjects in the twenty districts of Tehran city from all age groups were randomly selected. Thyroid size was examined by palpation and graded according to the WHO classification. In 163 families selected randomly, thyroid size was determined by ultrasonography and urinary iodine was measured by digestion method. Serum T4, T3 and TSH (IRMA) concentrations were also assayed by kits. Percentage of grades 1 & 2 goiter were 44 & 44% in females and 49 & 33% in males respectively. Median urinary iodine was 17.5 micrograms/dl. Mean serum T4, T3 and TSH were 8.41 +/- 1.4 micrograms/dl, 170 +/- 37 ng/dl and 1.4 +/- 0.8 mu/ml, respectively. In 118 children aged 6-10 years median urinary iodine was 17.5 micrograms/dl. Thyroid volume in children was 4.3 +/- 1.9 ml. No correlation was established between the thyroid volume and goiter grade. This study points to the adequacy of iodine intake in the majority of families residing in Tehran.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma masquerading as the HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) in pregnancy: case report.

A young woman was seen at 26 weeks' gestation with a clinical profile consistent with the HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count). The patient underwent cesarean delivery and was found to have a massive tumor involving the liver. After correction of the coagulopathy, a liver biopsy specimen demonstrated an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The patient died 3 weeks after diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of a fluorescent transferrin internalized in the late transferrin endocytic compartment of living A431 cells: theory.

In previous works, other authors characterized a compartment (LCT) of A431 carcinoma cells in which markers of transferrin endocytose had accumulated during a long chase period. This compartment, was essentially formed by large stationary vacuoles. A few small vesicles budded from these vacuoles, rapidly saltated along microtubules and eventually fused with other vacuoles, causing an intracellular transport of the marker bound to the limiting membrane (M. De Brabander, R. Nuygens, H. Geerts, C.R. Hopkins, Cell. Mot. Cytoskel. 9 (1988) 30). In the present paper, we derived the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of a fluorescent marker of LCT. We assumed that the rate of the intracellular transport of the marker was controlled by the fission-fusion process between vesicles and vacuoles. We showed that the concentration of a bleached fluorescent marker was a decreasing exponential function of the time elapsed from the beginning of the recovery phase. The rate constant of this exponential was equal to the product of the vesicle surface by the number of vesicles which fused with a unit of vacuole surface during one second. If a fraction of the marker spontaneously reactivated itself with a much higher rate constant of reaction than the rate constant of the transport process, the fractional FRAP of the marker was the sum of the fractional FRAP of both processes occurring separately. In a companion paper (F. Azizi, P. Wahl, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1327 (1997) 75-88), our FRAP experiments will be described and analysed with the mathematical expressions derived in the present paper.

Biological Transport, Active↗
PubMed1997

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of a fluorescent transferrin internalized in the late transferrin endocytic compartment of living A431 cells: experiments.

In this work, we verified that transferrin fluorescently labelled with lissamine rhodamine sulfochloride (Tf-LRSC) is internalized in epidermoid A431 carcinoma cells through the specific endocytic pathway of transferrin. The FRAP of this fluorescent marker internalized in the late compartment of transferrin endocytosis (LCT) was measured in living A431 cells. These experiments showed the presence of an active intracellular transport of Tf-LRSC which can be interpreted by a mechanism involving carrier vesicles budding from stationary vacuoles, saltating along microtubules and fusing with other stationary vacuoles, according to previous video-microscopy observations of a membranous traffic dynamics in these cells, revealed by a gold complex of an Anti-Transferrin Receptor (ATR) (M. De Brabander, R. Nuygens, H. Geerst, C.R. Hopkins, Cell. Motil. Cystoskel. 9 (1988) 30). When the A431 cells were treated with nocodazole or metabolic inhibitors, there remained a residual FRAP which was ascribed to the spontaneous reactivation of the bleached molecules. According to a theoretical result obtained in the companion paper (P. Wahl, F. Azizi, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1327 (1997) 69-74), we derived the fractional FRAP characterizing the transport process of Tf-LRSC by subtracting the fractional FRAP of the nocodazole-treated cells from the fractional FRAP of the non-treated cells. This FRAP of transport was fitted to a formula derived in that companion paper and based on the mechanism outlined above. From the time constant value determined by this fit, the number of vesicles which fused with a unit of vacuole surface was calculated to be 0.15 microm(-2) s(-1). The rate value of the fusion of vesicles with vacuoles was divided by two in cells treated by AlF4-, and increased to 20% in cells treated with Brefeldin A. These results correspond to an homotypic fusion process regulated by an heterotrimeric G-protein. Our work suggests that FRAP can be used to bring information on the transport of membrane components in living eukaryotic cells.

Aluminum Compounds↗
PubMed1997

The effects of iodized oil injection in eu- and hypothyroid iodine deficient girls.

Iodized oil administration has not been effective in restoration of euthyroidism in adolescents and adults, and only partially effective in children aged 4 to 14 years with endemic myxedematous cretinism. Therefore, we studied the effect of iodized oil injection in euthyroid and hypothyroid school girls in an endemic region. Clinical examination and assessment of serum thyroid hormones and TSH were performed before and at 4, 7 and 12 months after intramuscular injection of 480 mg iodine in 54 school girls. Four months after iodized oil injection, T4 and T3 increased from 58 +/- 24 and 2.6 +/- 0.6 to 127 +/- 28 and 3.1 +/- 0.5 nmol/l, respectively. Serum TSH was above 5 mU/l in 45 girls before and in 4 girls four months after injection. None had increased TSH at 7 and 12 months of study. Older girls had lower T4 and higher TSH than younger ones, however, all responded well to iodized oil administration. Serum T3 was above the normal limit of 3.1 nmol/l in 16 subjects. There was no clinical evidence of hyperthyroidism. Mean serum T3 returned to pre-treatment value by 7 and 12 months. TSH response to TRH was subnormal in 5 girls who had increase in either T3 or T4 or both at the end of one year. Injection of iodized oil reverses thyroid function in children and adolescents with hypothyroidism, when the severity of iodine deficiency is not enough to cause thyroid cell atrophy. Transient elevation in serum T3 and/or T4 occurs in many and may last in some at least one year following injection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The reform of medical education in Iran.

In order to investigate the path of medical education in Iran, indicators of medical education were searched from 1970 to 1994. There have been rises in the number of educational institutions from 10 to 46; student admissions in programmes of medical sciences from 1387 to 18,141; medical student admissions from 632 to 3630; teaching staff from 1573 to 7979; and teaching-bed to student ratio from 1.05 to 2.08. The numbers of students in clinical specialty and MS degrees have increased, and various programmes in clinical sub-specialty and PhD degrees have been initiated. The quality of medical education has improved with increasing field and ambulatory care training, with more emphasis on teaching preventive medicine and a significant rise in the research activities. Most qualitative and quantitative progress has been achieved following the establishment of a joint Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 1985. The results of this review demonstrate the success of Iran in upgrading medical education by the unification of health services and medical education in one ministry.

Education, Medical, Undergraduate↗
PubMed1996

Effect of methimazole treatment of maternal thyrotoxicosis on thyroid function in breast-feeding infants.

In 35 infants of lactating mothers with thyrotoxicosis who were receiving 5 to 20 mg methimazole daily, serum levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyrotropin were within normal ranges 1 month after the start of breast-feeding. Thyroid function in breast-feeding infants of six lactating mothers receiving methimazole, 20 mg for the first, 10 mg for the second, and 5 mg for an additional 4 months, remained normal. These results suggest the safety of methimazole therapy in lactating mothers.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of goitrous hypothyroidism with iodized oil supplementation in an area of iodine deficiency.

In order to investigate the effect of iodized oil administration on the thyroid status of male hypothyroid children and adolescents residing in an area of iodine deficiency, 32 apparently normal school boys with increased serum TSH, aged 7 to 15 years, were given a single intramuscular injection of 480 mg iodized oil. Four months after injection, serum T4 increased from 60 +/- 23 to 118 +/- 24 nmol/l and serum TSH decreased from 39 +/- 33 to 2.5 +/- 1.2 mU/l. Serum T4 remained unchanged while a further decline in TSH to 1.3 +/- 0.9 and 1.4 +/- 1.3 mU/l was observed 7 and 12 months after injection, respectively. There was a small but significant reduction in serum T3, FT3I as well as in the prevalence and severity of goiter 1 year following iodine treatment. Neither the age of the subject nor the severity of hypothyroidism affected the thyroid response to iodine treatment. It is concluded that iodized oil injection is an effective and convenient treatment for goitrous hypothyroid youngsters in iodine deficient areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Brucella infection of the thyroid gland.

Three cases of Brucella infection of the thyroid gland are reported. All three were female, and two were from rural areas in Tehran Province. All presented with fever, chills, and painful swelling in the neck, had positive wright and 2-mercaptoethanol test; and had normal thyroid function. Cultures of FNA materials grew Brucella in all cases. They were cured following antibiotic treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Transient permeabilization of airway epithelium by mucosal water.

We describe a simple hyposmotic shock procedure whereby the apical membrane of airway epithelium can be made transiently leaky to proteins and other macromolecules. Bovine or human tracheal epithelial cells were grown as confluent polarized cell sheets on porous inserts. While physiological saline was maintained on the basolateral surface, the mucosal surface was exposed to water. This led to marked increases in the uptake of [14C]mannitol across both apical and basolateral membranes. On restoring saline to the mucosal surface, the [14C]mannitol permeability returned to preexposure levels with a half-life of approximately 5 min. Mucosal water also increased efflux of lactate dehydrogenase and the uptakes of fluorescent albumin and dextran (2,000 kDa). Water-induced increases in mannitol permeability were similar at 4 and 37 degrees C, suggesting that pinocytosis was not the mechanism. Detailed time courses of the uptake of dextran and the loss of lactate dehydrogenase and 36Cl showed that the bulk of the permeability increase occurred during the first 2- to 4-min exposure to water. Transepithelial resistance was reversibly decreased by exposure to water, but short-circuit current responses to transport blockers and secretagogues remained qualitatively normal. The hyposmotic shock procedure also successfully permeabilized apical membranes of primary cultures of nasal epithelial cells from a patient with cystic fibrosis (CF) and of JME/CF 15 cells, a cell line derived from CF bronchial epithelium. This simple and efficient procedure may prove useful in studies on the cell and molecular biology of airway and other epithelia.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Physical, neuromotor and intellectual impairment in non-cretinous schoolchildren with iodine deficiency.

Thyroid status and neurologic, psychometric and auditory functions were evaluated in presumably normal schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 years from three areas of iodine deficiency in Iran. The subjects from each area were identified as members of groups A, B or C. In group A there were retarded growth, high prevalence of visible goiter (93%), low T4 (39%) and high TSH (70%). In group B 66% had a visible goiter and 7% had high serum TSH. In group C visible goiter was present in 22% of the subjects but they had normal thyroid function. Urinary iodine excretion was low in all three groups. Head circumference was less in groups A and B, as compared to C. Pyramidal signs occurred in over half of the subjects in Group A (hyperreflexia in 39% and crossed adductor reflex in 29%). The glabellar sign was present in 50% of group A and 20% of group B. Forty-four percent of the subjects in group A and 17% in group B had hearing deficits as shown by audiometry. Psychomotor examination was performed using the Bender Gestalt test. A higher number of errors was evident in groups A and B their psychomotor age was below their chronological age. The results of the Raven test showed mild impairment of IQ in group A, with 55% having an IQ below 91 and 15% less than 70. The subjects in group B had lower IQ than group C, but higher than group A. There was a negative correlation between serum TSH and free thyroid indices and a positive correlation between TSH and the number of pyramidal signs. This study demonstrates that mild to moderate growth retardation and neurological, auditory and psychomotor impairments occur in apparently normal subjects residing in areas of iodine deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Time course of changes in free thyroid indices, rT3, TSH, cortisol and ACTH following exposure to sulfur mustard.

In order to evaluate the time course of changes in serum concentration of thyroid hormones, cortisol and ACTH in patients exposed to chemical weapons containing sulfur mustard, we measured serum concentrations of hormones on the first, third and fifth week following injury in 13 soldiers and compared them to the results obtained from 34 control men. Free T4 and T3 indices were decreased and rT3, cortisol and ACTH were increased in the first week following exposure. There was a subnormal TSH response to TRH in 2 of 3 men tested. Except for an increase in FT4I and a decrease in TSH by the third week, and a steady decline in serum cortisol, serum hormone concentrations were unchanged until the fifth week after injury. The decline in serum cortisol occurred despite a constant increase in serum ACTH. By the fifth week only 1 of 13 men had serum cortisol levels > 10 micrograms/dl. We conclude that exposure to chemical weapons containing sulfur mustard results in alterations in serum concentrations of thyroid and adrenal hormones and ACTH, resembling changes seen in burn trauma. Some evidence of direct effects of mustard on endocrine glands exist.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1993

Impairment of neuromotor and cognitive development in iodine-deficient schoolchildren with normal physical growth.

In order to detect somatic and psychomotor disturbances in children and adolescents residing in areas of iodine deficiency, schoolchildren from three areas with different degrees of iodine deficiency were studied. In Randan, the prevalence of severe endemic goiter was accompanied by alteration in thyroid function, increased thyrotropin levels and retardation of both bone and psychomotor age and decreased intellectual quotient. In Tehran, where iodine deficiency is mild, visible goiter was present in 15% of schoolchildren but no alterations in thyroid function, serum thyrotropin, somatic or psychomotor development could be detected. In Zagoon, where the prevalence and severity of goiter was less than Randan but more than Tehran, thyroid function was normal but slightly decreased as compared to Tehran; somatic development was unaltered, but retardation in psychomotor development was evident and the mean intellectual quotient was less than that of Tehranian schoolchildren. These findings indicate the occurrence of physical and psychomotor disturbances in apparently normal schoolchildren from areas of iodine deficiency. Alteration in psychomotor development may occur in children with normal physical growth, due to iodine deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Survey of iodine deficiency in a rural area near Tehran: association of food intake and endemic goitre.

Goitre is endemic in many parts of Iran. This study was undertaken first to obtain the base line data and identify the nature of the problem and then to take measures to ameliorate it. Shahryar, an endemic area near the capital city, was selected as the pilot field. The sample size was 368 families. Sixty-six per cent of females and 54 per cent of males were goitrous. A food consumption survey revealed that 38 per cent and 62 per cent of the families had failed to receive at least 80 per cent of their requirement for energy and vitamin A, respectively. Free T4 index was normal but significantly lower in grade 2 goitre than the non-goitrous subjects (P less than 0.01). Significant reverse correlations were found between goitre prevalence and vitamin A and protein intakes (P less than 0.05). Supplementation with 40 micrograms iodine/g salt raised urinary iodine excretion significantly (P less than 0.001). We conclude that although iodine deficiency plays the key role in goitre, the association of other dietary factors observed in this study needs further consideration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Extragonadal sex cord tumor with annular tubules in an umbilical hernia sac: a unique presentation with implications for histogenesis.

A sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTAT) was found incidentally in an umbilical hernia sac excised from a 66-year-old female. No ovarian lesions were visualized on a computerized tomographic (CT) scan of the pelvis. An exploratory laparotomy with total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymph node biopsies, and omentectomy likewise showed no gross evidence of tumor. Histologic examination revealed foci of SCTAT scattered in the omentum. The peritoneal washings were positive. The ovaries and pelvic lymph nodes were free of tumor. A second-look laparotomy following six courses of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, actinomycin D, and vincristine revealed microscopic tumor deposits in the base of the omental remnant, small bowel mesentery, anterior abdominal peritoneum, and meso-appendix. Clinically, the patient remains well following treatment with whole-abdominal radiation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SCTAT in the umbilical region and the only case of SCTAT without an identifiable ovarian primary. The literature is reviewed, and the possible histogenesis of the tumor in this location is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Environmental iodine intake affects the response to methimazole in patients with diffuse toxic goiter.

The response to methimazole [1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (MMI)] therapy was evaluated in 18 patients with diffuse toxic goiter residing in an area of iodine deficiency (Tehran) and in 18 patients residing in an area of iodine sufficiency (Boston). The mean free T4 index (FT4I) decreased from 22.9 +/- 4.8 (+/- SD) to 4.9 +/- 4.3 in Tehran and from 23.8 +/- 5.2 to 17.0 +/- 4.1 in Boston after 4 weeks of MMI administration (10 mg, three times daily). The mean free T3 index (FT3I) decreased from 489 +/- 124 to 117 +/- 58 in Tehran and from 512 +/- 250 to 368 +/- 152 in Boston. In patients residing in Tehran, the FT4I was normal in 9 (less than 6.3 in 6), above normal in 1, and subnormal in 8 (44%) after 4 weeks of MMI treatment. In 4 of 8 patients with subnormal FT4I, serum TSH was also above normal, and clinical findings of hypothyroidism were evident. MMI (10 mg, twice daily) was then given to 15 additional patients with diffuse toxic goiter in Tehran. Mean FT4I values were 22.7 +/- 6.8, 12.1 +/- 2.5, 10.8 +/- 2.8, and 6.0 +/- 4.3 before and 8, 14, and 28 days after treatment, respectively. Corresponding mean FT3I values were 415 +/- 90, 196 +/- 36, 162 +/- 44, and 117 +/- 46. At 28 days, FT4I was subnormal in 7 (46%) patients, of whom 1 had increased TSH. These results indicate that treatment with recommended doses of MMI rapidly causes hypothyroidism in patients residing in Tehran, an area of iodine deficiency. Furthermore, they support the hypothesis that the dosage of thionamide compounds and the duration of therapy with the initial doses necessary to induce euthyroidism may vary in various parts of the world.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase levels in thyroid disease.

To evaluate the association between serum, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity (GGT) and thyroid function, we measured the GGT, alkaline phosphatase, free thyroxine index (FT4I), free triiodothyronine index (FT3I), and thyrotropin (TSH) levels in patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism and in normal subjects. Ten of 16 hyperthyroid patients had elevations of GGT activity. There was no difference in mean FT4I or FT3I between the groups with high GGT and normal GGT levels. Six months after treatment with radioactive iodine, serum GGT levels decreased, while there was no significant change in mean serum alkaline phosphatase levels. Mean serum GGT levels were decreased in patients with hypothyroidism and correlated well with serum TSH levels. Replacement therapy with levothyroxine sodium caused an elevation in mean serum GGT levels in six hypothyroid patients. Thus, serum GGT activity is frequently increased in patients with hyperthyroidism and may be decreased in patients with hypothyroidism. Euthyroidism results in restoration of normal GGT levels.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗