فهرست مطالب
Journal of Clinical and Basic Research
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Winter 2017
- تاریخ انتشار: 1396/04/28
- تعداد عناوین: 8
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Pages 1-10IntroductionIn Iran, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most prevalent cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in patients with hemophilia, thalassemia, and renal failure. Recent studies suggest that patients infected with different HCV genotypes have different clinical profiles, severity of liver disease and response to therapy. Several molecular methods targeting different HCV genomic regions have been introduced for genotyping. Direct sequencing of amplified PCR products is the gold standard method, followed by phylogenetic analysis of clinical material. The aim of this study was to determine genotypes of HCV-infected patients with thalassemia in Golestan Province, Iran.Materials And MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 217 patients (mean age: 21.82 ± 16 years, 50.7% male) with thalassemia major. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detection of HCV antibodies. Positive HCV-Ab samples were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing. HCV genotypes were determined by aligning nucleotide sequences of patients with the standard nucleotide sequences obtained from GenBank (accession number: AB520610).ResultsOf 217 patients with thalassemia major, 14 (6.45%) were found as anti-HCV-positive in the ELISA test. Among them, two patients (14.28%) had positive RT-PCR results. In addition, all patients were infected with HCV genotype 1a.ConclusionsGenotype 1a is the predominant HCV genotype in patients with thalassemia major in the Golestan province, Iran.Keywords: Hepatitis C virus_Genotype_Thalassemia major_Golestan Province
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Pages 11-16IntroductionSince its introduction as a marker of insulin resistance, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has increasingly been used in biomedical literature. However, the TyG index formula seems to be calculated in two different ways, which may consequently produce some confusion regarding the normal cut-offs and cause potential errors in comparing different data. This study tries to explore this discrepancy.Materials And MethodsThe TyG index was simulated for different ranges of triglyceride (TG) and fasting blood sugar (FBS). The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for the TyG index. The results were limited to articles that have mentioned the FBS and TG values. The TyG index was recalculated and compared using the reported FBS and TG values in two different ways.ResultsThe simulated and reported normal cut-off values for the TyG index in the literature were roughly around 4 and 8. This discrepancy was due to different method of calculating the TyG index, and independent from factors such as age, gender and ethnicity of sampled population.ConclusionsIn the TyG index formula, the division sign must be moved out of the square bracket. Otherwise, the normal range must be considered around 8. If the normal value of TyG index is reported as 4, its calculation should be referred to a corrected form of the original formula e.g. ln[FBS(mg/dl) × TG (mg/dl)]/2.Keywords: TyG index, Insulin resistance
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Pages 17-21IntroductionSelenium (Se) is a rare element with well-demonstrated anti-oxidative effects that acts as an enzyme co-factor in physiological interactions. Low plasma Se level and malnutrition in hemodialysis (HD) patients could increase the risk of morbidity and mortality among these patients. Moreover, Se deficiency leads to oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of plasma Se levels with malnutrition and inflammatory markers in HD patients.Materials And MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 88 patients undergoing routine HD at dialysis unit of 5th Azar Hospital in Gorgan, northeastern Iran. In addition, 88 healthy individuals were selected from the patients families as controls. Level of Se, C-reactive protein (CRP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) and albumin were measured in the patients and controls by the atomic absorption method. Se levels were categorized into two groups of "over half-normalized" and "under half-normalized" for further analysis.ResultsHyposeleniemia was found in two patients (2.3%). The mean level of Se in HD patients was lower than in the healthy controls (PConclusionsThe mean plasma Se level of HD patients in this area is in the normal range. There is no association between plasma Se level and malnutrition. Based on our findings, hyposelenemia is not a problem in HD patients in the Golestan Province.Keywords: Selenium, Malnutrition, Inflammatory markers
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Pages 22-26IntroductionThe prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in different regions of Iran is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of UTI among first grade primary school children in Gorgan, Northeast of Iran.Materials And MethodsThis descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on 2145 first grade primary school children in the city of Gorgan in 2011. After history taking, all children were physically examined by trained personnel. Those who were suspected with UTI were referred to laboratory for confirmed diagnosis. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 16) and chi-square test.ResultsAmong 2145 children, 1111 (51.8%) were male and the rest were female. UTI was confirmed in 146 patients (6.8%), 52 of whom were male (4.7%) and 94 were female (9.1%). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of UTI between the two genders.ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that UTI is common in this age group in this region. Therefore, proper healthcare interventions should be considered for control and prevention of UTI complications among primary school children.Keywords: UTI, Urinary tract infection, First grade, Primary school, Children, Gorgan
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Pages 27-32IntroductionHeavy metals have an important role in human health because of their nutritive value and possible adverse effects. The objective of this study was to assess level of heavy metals and selenium in rice harvested in the Golestan Province, Iran.Materials And MethodsThis study was conducted in the Golestan Province, northern Iran. The area under rice cultivation is 45714 acres. Overall, 69 rice samples were collected from rice farms in different areas of the province including high-risk (42 samples) and low-risk areas (27 samples) for esophagus cancer (EC). Concentrations of heavy metals were measured by polarograph. Voltammetric analysis was carried out using 797 VA computrace (Metrohm).ResultsMaximum concentrations of zinc, cadmium, lead, copper, nickel, cobalt and selenium in high-risk areas for EC were 70.6, 0.41, 5.05, 14.4, 8.8, 0.88 and 0.48 mg/kg as dry weight, respectively. Maximum concentrations of these elements in the low-risk area for EC were 88.4, 0.37, 3.9, 17.2, 8.1, 0.27 and 0.25 mg/kg as dry weight, respectively. The concentration of Se in high-risk areas were significantly higher than that in low-risk areas (PConclusionsHeavy metals and Se may act as possible risk factors for EC in the Golestan Province, which should be considered when designing cancer control programs in this area.Keywords: Heavy metal, Rice, Golestan province, Esophageal Cancer
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Pages 33-37IntroductionPheochromocytoma is a rare catecholamine-secreting tumor with gastrointestinal manifestations.
Case description: Herein, we report a 50 years old female patient with abdominal pain, altered bowel habit, abdominal mass lesion and laboratory features of pheochromocytoma. The patient was admitted with abdominal pain, back pain, arthralgia, weakness, lethargy, cold sweat and weight loss. She had history of diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease and hyperlipidemia. On admission, she was normotensive and had normal physical examination. Upper and lower endoscopies were normal. Transabdominal sonography and CT scan showed large heterogeneous masses with central necrosis and calcification in adrenal regions. In addition, 24-hour urine evaluation showed elevated vanillylmandelic acid, metanephrine and normetanephrine levels. She underwent bilateral adrenalectomy. Pathologic evaluation showed typical characteristics of pheochromocytoma.ConclusionsIn any patient with abdominal pain and abdominal mass, low threshold for diagnosis of rare but often lethal pheochromocytoma is suggested.Keywords: pheochromocytoma, constipation, abdominal pain -
Pages 38-46IntroductionRamadan is an Islamic month during which Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a model of prolonged intermittent fasting. Previous studies have shown that fasting has beneficial effects on human health. However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers.Materials And MethodsThis prospective observational study was conducted in July 2013. Thirty healthy men who were fasting during Ramadan were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements were taken from each subject. Fasting venous blood samples were taken one week before Ramadan, during the last week of Ramadan and four weeks after Ramadan. Serum interleukin-6, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein levels were measured.ResultsNo significant change was observed in serum total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, interleukin-6 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Fasting in Ramadan significantly decreased body mass index (PConclusionsThis study indicates that fasting during Ramadan has some positive effects on body mass index, serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, FBS, insulin and HOMA index.Keywords: Ramadan, Fasting, C-reactive protein, blood glucose, High-density lipoprotein
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Pages 47-53Many metabolic disorders originate from thyroid disorders, particularly from hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism commonly occurs in elderly subjects, particularly in women. Subclinical form of hypothyroidism can be diagnosed via laboratory testing. It is crucial to check thyroid hormone profile in elderly subjects. Subclinical hypothyroidism can eventually lead to overt hypothyroidism if left untreated. Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism could be helpful in preventing the complications of hypothyroidism, particularly among the elderly population. The main aim of this review was to investigate subclinical hypothyroidism among elderly subjects.Keywords: Hypothyroidism, Subclinical hypothyroidism, Elderly