Ali Harandi | Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (original) (raw)

Papers by Ali Harandi

Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2013

The association of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) with a wide variety of pulmonary disorders was ... more The association of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) with a wide variety of pulmonary disorders was recognized. We aimed to evaluate the effect of GER-induced esophagitis on airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) in patients and the response to treatment. In this cohort study, 30 patients attending the gastrointestinal clinic of a university hospital with acid reflux symptoms were included. All patients were evaluated endoscopically and divided into case group with esophagitis and control group without any evidence of esophagitis. Spirometry and methacholine test were done in all patients before and after treatment of GER with pantoprazole 40 mg daily for six months. There was a significant difference in the rate of positive methacholine test between the cases (40%) and the controls (6.7%) prior to anti-acid therapy (P < 0.0001). After six months of treatment, the frequency of positive methacholine test diminished from 40 to 13.3% in the case group (P < 0.05) but did not change in the con...

Indian heart journal

IMSEAR, ...

Iranian journal of medical sciences, 2014

Diverse studies suggest that interleukin-6 (IL6), as a member of cytokines family, has a major ro... more Diverse studies suggest that interleukin-6 (IL6), as a member of cytokines family, has a major role in inflammatory processes of airways and lungs. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the serum level of IL6 in sulfur mustard (SM) injured patients and its comparison with controls. The measured IL6 mean level in patients with chemical injuries (0.76±0.3 ng/ml) was significantly higher than the control group's mean level (0.34±0.12 ng/ml). Furthermore, patients with moderate to severe symptoms had a serum level of (0.95±0.92 ng/ml) which was significantly higher than mild (0.47±0.54) and control (0.34±0.12) groups. The outcome of this research program demonstrates that an increase in serum level of IL6 can have a role in pulmonary complications of SM, similar to other well defined pulmonary diseases. However, further studies are required to clarify the role and mechanism of IL6 in such patients.

Inhalation Toxicology, 2011

The marked difference in biopersistence and pathological response between chrysotile and amphibol... more The marked difference in biopersistence and pathological response between chrysotile and amphibole asbestos has been well documented. This study is unique in that it has examined a commercial chrysotile product that was used as a joint compound. The pathological response was quantified in the lung and translocation of fibers to and pathological response in the pleural cavity determined. This paper presents the final results from the study. Rats were exposed by inhalation 6 h/day for 5 days to a well-defined fiber aerosol. Subgroups were examined through 1 year. The translocation to and pathological response in the pleura was examined by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy (CM) using noninvasive methods. The number and size of fibers was quantified using transmission electron microscopy and CM. This is the first study to use such techniques to characterize fiber translocation to and the response of the pleural cavity. Amosite fibers were found to remain partly or fully imbedded in the interstitial space through 1 year and quickly produced granulomas (0 days) and interstitial fibrosis (28 days). Amosite fibers were observed penetrating the visceral pleural wall and were found on the parietal pleural within 7 days postexposure with a concomitant inflammatory response seen by 14 days. Pleural fibrin deposition, fibrosis, and adhesions were observed, similar to that reported in humans in response to amphibole asbestos. No cellular or inflammatory response was observed in the lung or the pleural cavity in response to the chrysotile and sanded particles (CSP) exposure. These results provide confirmation of the important differences between CSP and amphibole asbestos.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2006

Aims: The Iraqi government performed numerous chemical attacks against north-west of Iran and Ira... more Aims: The Iraqi government performed numerous chemical attacks against north-west of Iran and Iraq nonmilitary civilians during 1980-88. The aim of this survey was to investigate the long term respiratory complications among chemical injury victims of Iraqi Kurdistan region. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in year 2008 on Iraqi Kurdish chemical injury victims who were invited by public invitation and 479 eligible patients entered the study by census sampling method. Then, physical examination, spirometry and thoracic high-resolution computed tomography were carried out on patients. Blistering after chemical weapon exposure was used to identify the significant exposure to sulfur mustard and patients were divided into two groups of having blisters and without blisters. Results of the two groups were compared by SPSS 16 software using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, exact Fissure test, Chi square test and multivariate regression. Results: Among 479 participants, 45.7% were male and 54.3% were female. The mean age was 43.1±13.7. Spirometry was abnormal in 15.2% of patients and air trapping was present on CT scan in 46.6% cases and there was no significant difference between patients with blisters (n=278) and without a history of blistering. However, Blistering after chemical weapon exposure associated with more respiratory symptoms and worse lung function especially among Halabja inhabitants. Conclusion: Iraqi Kurdish chemical injury victims suffer from severe respiratory complications which may reflect the absence of essential preventive training for reduction of contact with chemicals and early treatment after incidents.

Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, 2000

Lung, 2010

It has been hypothesized that antioxidant and oxidant capacities may be related to the severity o... more It has been hypothesized that antioxidant and oxidant capacities may be related to the severity of obstructive lung impairment in patients with sulfur mustard (SM)-induced lung injuries. Our study was designed to measure the level of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities in patients intoxicated with SM and to evaluate the relationship between their activity and the severity of pulmonary dysfunction. A total of 250 patients with a history of exposure to a single high dose of SM gas and also 60 healthy nonsmoking individuals with no history of exposure to SM were selected. All patients underwent spirometry; based on its indices they were divided into two groups: mild (n = 140) and moderate-to-severe (n = 110) pulmonary dysfunction. Also, serum GSH and MDA concentration measurements were performed for all patients and controls. The mean GSH level in controls was 29.85 ± 3.26 lmol/ml, which was significantly higher than in patients with mild and moderate-to-severe pulmonary dysfunction (19.02 ± 2.36 and 17.89 ± 2.16 lmol/ml, respectively). Also, the mean MDA level in controls was 0.69 ± 0.09 lmol/ml, which was significantly lower than in patients with mild and moderate-to-severe pulmonary dysfunction (0.74 ± 0.05 and 0.75 ± 0.05 lmol/ml, respectively). There was a weak linear correlation between GSH level and some of the pulmonary function indices. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between the MDA level and pulmonary indices. Our study confirmed important alterations in the oxidative-antioxidative system in patients suffering from SM-induced lung injuries, as shown by a decreased serum level of GSH and an increased level of MDA. Individuals with moderate-to-severe SM-induced lung injuries show a greater tendency for a decreased level of GSH and an increased level of MDA than those with mild injuries; however, there is only minimal association between pulmonary function parameters and the serum level of MDA and GSH. These findings encourage us to examine therapeutic measures to correct such imbalances in future studies.

Official Website(C) Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Comprehensive Research Inf... more Official Website(C) Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Comprehensive Research Information Management System. http://ijaai.rp.tums.ac.ir. Full text version. Effect of TGF?1 and TIMP2 on Disease Activity in Asthma and COPD. Article information: Group: 9, DOI: ...

Pulmonary Medicine, 2012

Background. Dyspnea is one of the main complaints in a group of COPD patients due to exposure to ... more Background. Dyspnea is one of the main complaints in a group of COPD patients due to exposure to sulfur mustard (SM) and is refractory to conventional therapies. We designed this study to evaluate effectiveness of nebulized morphine in such patients. Materials and Methods. In a double-blind clinical trial study, 40 patients with documented history of exposure to SM were allocated to two groups: group 1 who received 1 mg morphine sulfate diluted by 4 cc normal saline 0.5% using nebulizer once daily for 5 days and group 2 serving as control who received normal saline as placebo. They were visited by pulmonologist 7 times per day to check symptoms and signs and adverse events. Different parameters including patient-scored peak expiratory flow using pick flow meter, visual analogue scale (VAS) for dyspnea, global quality of life and cough, and number of respiratory rate, night time awaking for dyspnea and cough have been assessed. Results. The scores of VAS for dyspnea, cough and quality of life and also respiratory rate, heart rate, and night time awaking due to dyspnea and night time awaking due to cough improved significantly after morphine nebulization without any major adverse events. Also pick expiratory flow has been improved significantly after nebulization in each day. Conclusion. Our results showed the clinical benefit of nebulized morphine on respiratory complaints of patients due to exposure to SM without significant side effects.

Biomarkers, 2010

Background and aims: The reduced α1-antitrypsin (AAT) activities of some phenotypes have been sug... more Background and aims: The reduced α1-antitrypsin (AAT) activities of some phenotypes have been suggested as contributing to the development of respiratory diseases. Materials and methods: One hundred patients with respiratory disease following exposure to sulfur mustard were divided into two groups of 50 based on their respiratory symptoms and compared with a healthy control group. AAT phenotypes were determined in the plasma of all patient and control subjects by isoelectric focusing (IEF). Results: Mean AAT activities in patient and control groups were 3.4 ± 0.3 and 4.2 ± 0.1 μmol min −1 ml −1 , respectively (p < 0.001). No phenotypic alterations were detected. Conclusions: The difference in the clinical pulmonary symptoms of the two groups was attributed to reduced AAT activity, but this was not manifested as phenotypic changes identifiable by IEF.

Pathology Research International, 2011

We performed a pathologic study with further using an immunohistochemical technique (using anti-p... more We performed a pathologic study with further using an immunohistochemical technique (using anti-p63 and anti-CK5) on tissues obtained by open lung biopsy from 18 patients with previous exposure to sulphur mustard (SM) as case group and 8 unexposed patients (control group). The most frequent pathologic diagnosis was constrictive bronchiolitis (44.4%), followed by respiratory (22.2%) and chronic cellular bronchiolitis (16.7%) in the case group, and hypersensitivity bronchiolitis (50%) in the control group. The pathologic diagnoses were significantly different in the case and control groups (P = 0.042). In slides stained by anti-p63 and anti-CK5, the percent of stained cells and the mean number of epithelial cells were lower in the case group in comparison to the control group. This difference was significant for the mean number of cells stained by anti-CK5 (P = 0.042). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between pathologic diagnosis and total number of cells and mean number of cells stained with anti-p63 and anti-CK5 (P value = 0.002, <0.001, 0.044). These results suggest that constrictive bronchiolitis may be the major pathologic consequence of exposure to SM. Moreover, decrease of p63 in respiratory tissues affected by SM may suggest the lack of regenerative capacity in these patients.

Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2010

Purpose: To review the acute and chronic pathological effects of sulfur mustard on the genitourin... more Purpose: To review the acute and chronic pathological effects of sulfur mustard on the genitourinary system and male fertility.

Sulfur mustard is one of the major potent chemical warfare agents. It was widely used against not... more Sulfur mustard is one of the major potent chemical warfare agents. It was widely used against not only military personnel but also civilian people of Iran during the last years (1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988) of the Iraq-Iran war. A number of studies were performed regarding the acute and long-term consequences of sulfur mustard on respiratory system. Currently, many aspects of leading respiratory disorder that was prescribed as "mustard lung" have been revealed. However, there is growing concern about pathophysiological mechanisms behind the mustard lung. Herein available published materials about mustard lung are summarized, and it has been tried to highlight practical points relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Iran J Med Sci 2010; 35(4): 273-280.

Background: About 100,000 Iranian have been exposed to chemical weapons during Iraq-Iran conflict... more Background: About 100,000 Iranian have been exposed to chemical weapons during Iraq-Iran conflict . After being spent of more than two decades, still about 30,000 of them are under follow-up treatment. The main aim of this study was to review various preventive and therapeutic methods for injured patients with sulfur mustard in different phases.

Inhalation Toxicology, 2012

The process of bronchial tissue repair/remodeling depends on balance between production and degra... more The process of bronchial tissue repair/remodeling depends on balance between production and degradation achieves the regulation of extracellular matrix turnover. We designed this study to evaluate relation between Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGFβ1) and Tissue Inhibitory of Metaloproteinase 2 (TIMP2) as two main tissue mediators on activity and reversibility of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Tanaffos, 2011

General assembly of the national "Respiratory Disease Research Network" (RDRN) was held in April ... more General assembly of the national "Respiratory Disease Research Network" (RDRN) was held in April 2011 with the participation of pulmonologists and head of research centers working on respiratory illnesses and other stakeholder including representatives from non-communicable disease office in the ministry of health, scientific societies, non-governmental organizations, and etc.

Iranian journal of neurology, 2012

There is a known inverse association between solar radiation and the prevalence of multiple scler... more There is a known inverse association between solar radiation and the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies have investigated the link between vitamin D and MS. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration and the severity of disease in Iranian patients with MS. Patients with relapsing-remitting MS underwent neurological examination, including measurement of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and were categorized by disease severity into mild (0 ≤ EDSS ≤3), moderate (3.5 ≤ EDSS ≤5.5) and severe (6 ≤ EDSS). Serum concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and parathyroid hormone were also measured. A total of 78 (73.1% female) patients with MS were evaluated. The mean (± standard deviation) of age was 33.9 ± 9.2 years. The mean (± standard error) serum concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D3 were 36.6 ± 5.1 mg/dL, 50.1 ± 12.6 mg/dL and 19.8 ± 6.5 mg/dL in patients with mil...

Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2012

Sulfur mustard (SM) is one of the major potent chemical warfare and attractive weapons for terror... more Sulfur mustard (SM) is one of the major potent chemical warfare and attractive weapons for terrorists. It has caused deaths to hundreds of thousands of victims in World War I and more recently during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). It has ability to develop severe acute and chronic damage to the respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Understanding the acute and chronic biologic consequences of SM exposure may be quite essential for developing efficient prophylactic/therapeutic measures. One of the systems majorly affected by SM is the respiratory tract that numerous clinical studies have detailed processes of injury, diagnosis and treatments of lung. The low mortality rate has been contributed to high prevalence of victims and high lifetime morbidity burden. However, there are no curative modalities available in such patients. In this review, we collected and discussed the related articles on the preventive and therapeutic approaches to SM-induced respiratory injury and summarized what is...