Advanced Biomedical Research
Volume:3 Issue: 2, 2013 Jun

Selenium is a trace mineral which has the role of multiple biologic functions. In free-living animals and humans, selenium is mostly in the form of two selenium-containing amino acids as selenocysteine and selenomethionine. The present study aimed to obtain more data on the relationship between serum selenium in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Serum selenium levels were measured in 51 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as patients group and in 40 non-hospitalized healthy individuals as control group.

Selenium was recognized by atomic absorption spectrometer. Decreased mean serum selenium concentrations were observed in the group with chronic lymphocytic leukemia as compared to normal ones (P = 0.005). Serum selenium concentrations were examined in stages 0 and I. They observed a significant difference between the mean serum concentrations of selenium in stage 0, I and II and that of stage IV and V patients with CLL (P = 0.01). The groups were compared and significant differences were observed i.e., low serum selenium levels in the stage III and IV CLL (P = 0.001). The second selenium test was designed in 21 out of 48 patients within 10 weeks from the beginning of chemotherapy. Serum selenium concentration was tested again in 21 patients, and significant differences have been observed between the time before the treatment and after it (P = 0.02).

Our results show that in patients with CLL the mean serum selenium levels are lower than that of normal.

Despite different treatments, cerebral vasospasm is still the most important cause of death in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage. This study was conducted to explore the effect of intracisternal washing with papaverine on cerebral blood flow.

This study was performed on 40 patients and totally 120 arteries in 2010. Then, variations in cerebral blood flow before and after washing with papaverine were measured and analyzed.

Twenty (20) patients with aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery (ACOM) and 20 patients with aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were assessed. Mean blood flow before aneurysm and before washing in ACOM and MCA was 70.68 ± 14.8 cm/s and 65.66 ± 9.3 cm/s, respectively, which reached 23.25 ± 5.17 cm/s and 34.1 ± 4.7 cm/s, respectively after washing (P value = 0.016 and 0.024). Mean blood flow after aneurysm and before washing in ACOM and MCA was 95.12 ± 13.9 cm/s and 67.44 ± 15.16 cm/s, respectively, which reached 35.69 ± 6.2 cm/s and 38.01 ± 8.28 cm/s, respectively after washing (P value = 0.001 and 0.01).

Washing with papaverine significantly reduces cerebral blood flow and relieves vasospasm.

Background: There are concerns on the efficacy and safety of endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) as an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. We compared the efficacy and safety of EPBD and EST for removing large common bile duct (CBD) stones. Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty patients with CBD stones of 10-20 mm were randomized to undergo EPBD or EST. A 15-mm dilatation balloon was used for EPBD. Cotton’s criteria were used to determine the incidence of post-EPBD or post-EST complications. CBD stone removal and complications were compared between the two methods. Results: CBD stones were completely removed in 97.5% of the EPBD and 96.2% of the EST group (P = 0.5). The incidence of postoperative pancreatitis (11.2% vs 8.7%) and bleeding (1.2% vs 1.2%) were similar between the EPBD and EST groups (P > 0.05). Perforation did not occur in any patient. Conclusions: EPBD with 15-mm dilator balloon appears to be equally safe and effective compared with EST for removal of large CBD stones. So because of low complication and high success rate we recommend EPBD as the preferred method for removal of large (10-20 mm) CBD stones.

Trichomonas vaginalis is considered one of the main causes of vulvovaginitis in women. Metronidazole with vast side effects is now the drug of choice for treatment of this infection. In an attempt to find an alternative drug, the effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on this parasite was shown in previous studies. In this investigation, the effect of different extracts of this plant on T. vaginalis in culture medium has been investigated.

Five different extracts including total extract, diethyl ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water fractions were prepared. The extracts were dried using vacuum rotary evaporator and then they were used for in vitro anti-trichomonas experiments.

Crude extract of E.camaldulensis showed 80% growth inhibition (GI) in a concentration of 12.5 mg/ml during 24 h. Diethyl ether extract in a concentration of 25 mg/ml showed 100% GI during 24 h. With ethyl acetate extract, 100% GI was detected with the minimum concentration of 12.5 mg/ml in the first 24 h. Finally, water extract in a concentration of 50 mg/ml showed 80% and 100% GI after 48 and 72 h, respectively.

Ethyl acetate fraction is the extract which showed the highest percentage of GI (100%) with the least concentration (12.5 mg/ml) after 24 and 48 h.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of various perinatal factors on cord blood TSH among newborns in Isfahan, Iran.

This was a descriptive–analytic cross sectional study which performed in Isfahan Iran. During a period of four months, since February to May 2012 a total number of 440 newborns delivered in Alzahra and Shahid beheshti hospitals were enrolled in the study. For all newborns one mL blood sample from umbilical vein was obtained by one of the project investigators and sent to laboratory for further examinations. Cord blood TSH and birth body weight (BBW), gestational age, history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), apgar at one minute, apgar at five minute, newborn gender and the mother’s age were documented. Differences considered statistically significant if P < 0.01.

440 newborns enrolled in the study, 221 (50.2%) were male and 219 (49.8%) were female. Among study parameters, method of delivery had statistically significant relation with cord blood TSH (P < 0.001), and other factors such as BBW, gestational age, GDM, apgar at one minute, apgar at five minute, newborn gender and the mother’s age didn’t have statistically significant relationship with cord TSH level.

In conclusion we deduce that the only factor that can affect cord blood TSH was method of delivery. Infant with vaginal delivery has higher TSH level in cord blood. Other factors that were evaluated in this study didn’t have any statistically significant relationship.

Primary splenic cyst is a relatively rare entity; they comprise only about 10% of benign non-parasitic cysts. Most of these are asymptomatic and are observed incidentally during abdominal ultrasonography. The number of diagnosed splenic cyst cases seems to have risen because of the increasing use of abdominal imaging techniques. However, definite diagnosis is possible only after splenectomy when epithelial lining is confirmed histologically. We report a case of a 14-year-old child who presented with fullness of abdomen and pain in the left hypochondrium since last few months. First impression made was in favor of a splenic lymphangioma of size 8 × 8 cm which was based on a Computerized tomography scan and the sonographic findings. Splenectomy was performed and was sent for histopathological examination which in combination with immunohistochemistry revealed findings suggestive of primary epithelial cyst. A large cystic mass with a relatively thin wall localized in the spleen is likely to be a primary or secondary cyst. The diagnosis of false cyst should be favored if there is a clear history of trauma, if the patient is older than fourth decade, if there is a hematoma elsewhere in spleen, or if cyst wall is calcified. This rare entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a patient presenting with left hypochondrial pain.

Antimicrobial peptides are cationic molecules, which participate in multiple aspects of the immune response including the control of inflammatory diseases, characteristic that make these molecules attractive as therapeutic tools. These peptides are produced in bacteria, insects, plants and vertebrates, and are classified together due to their capacity to directly inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and to regulate the immune response by inducing the secretion of chemokines and cytokines. Various families of antimicrobial peptides have been identified including the cathelicidins and defensins, the most investigated human antimicrobial peptides. This review will cover the main biological functions of antimicrobial and cell-penetrating peptides in inflammation, and describe the importance and utility of antimicrobial peptides as therapeutics for inflammatory diseases.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia. In this study, outcome of intensive chemotherapy in patients treated in a large urban public university hospital in a developing country was investigated.

The records of all patients treated for AML with 3 + 7 protocol from 2002 to 2010 were analyzed.

Among 95 patients, 34 (35.8%) were female and 61 (64.2%) were male patients. Patients’ median age was 37 years, ranging 15-68 years. Complete remission (CR) was observed in 56 (58.9%) of patients treated with this protocol. Median overall survival was 13 months (95% CI: 8.8-17.1 months). The 1-year AML survival rate was 51%, and 2-year survival rate was 26%.

Our study shows that in our center in Iran, CR rates and median overall survival rates after induction chemotherapy are less than developed countries.

Ondansetron has analgesic properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the analgesic effect of 8 mg ondansetron when added to lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA).

Ninety patients undergoing hand surgery were randomly allocated to the three groups to receive 3 mg/kg 2% lidocaine diluted with saline to a total dose of 40 mL (Group L, n = 30) or 8 mg ondansetron plus 3 mg/kg 2% lidocaine diluted with saline to a total dose of 40 mL (group LO, n = 30) or 3 mg/kg 2% lidocaine diluted with saline to a total dose of 40 mL plus 8 mg ondansetron intravenously (Group IO, n = 30). Tourniquet pain and analgesic use were recorded before and after the tourniquet application.

The sensory and motor block onset times were significantly shorter in Group LO compared with Group L and Group IO (4.2 ± 1.7 vs. 5.2 ± 0.8 and 5.1 ± 1.2 respectively, P < 0.05; 4.5 ± 1.4 vs. 5.8 ± 1.5 and 5.7 ± 1.4 respectively, P < 0.05). The sensory and motor block recovery times were significantly longer in Group LO compared with Group L and Group IO (6.1 ± 1.1 vs. 4.1 ± 1.3 and 4.5 ± 0.9 respectively, P < 0.05; 6.7 ± 1.4 vs. 4.4 ± 0.9 and 4.7 ± 0.7 respectively, P < 0.05). Post-operative VAS scores were significantly less in Group LO compared with Group L and Group IO till 24 h after tourniquet deflation (P < 0.05).

The addition of 8 mg ondansetron to lidocaine for IVRA reduced intraoperative and post-operative analgesic use till 24 h.

Due to the controversy over efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic depression, recently, there has been an increasingly tendency toward therapeutic methods based on the cultural and spiritual approaches. The aim of this research was to compare efficacy of spiritual integrated psychotherapy (SIPT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on the intensity of depression symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes of patients with dysthymic disorder.

This study had a mixed qualitative and quantitative design. In the first phase, SIPT model was prepared and, in the second phase, a double-blind random clinical trial was performed. Sixty-two patients with dysthymic disorder were selected from several centers include Nour and Alzahra Medical Center, Counseling Centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Goldis in Isfahan. The participants were randomly assigned to three experimental groups and one control group. The first group received 8 sessions treatment of SIPT, second groups also had 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which was specific to dysthymic disorder and third group were under antidepressant treatment. Beck depression inventory and dysfunctional attitudes scale were used to evaluate all the participants in four measurement stages. The data were analyzed using MANCOVA repeated measure method.

The results revealed that SIPT had more efficacy than medication based on both scales (P < 0.01); however, it was not different from CBT. SIPT was more effective on the modification of dysfunctional attitudes compared with CBT and medication (P < 0.05).

These findings supported the efficacy of psychotherapy enriched with cultural capacities and religious teachings.