Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:14 Issue: 3, May & Jun 2009

Novel potential MR imaging contrast agents Gd-tetra-carboranylmethoxyphenyl-porphyrin (Gd-TCP), Gd-hematoporphyrin (Gd-H), Gd-DTPA-9.2.27 against melanoma, Gd-DTPA-WM53 against leukemia and Gd-DTPAC595 against breast cancer cells were synthesized and applied to mice with different human cancer cells (melanoma MM-138, leukemia HL-60, breast MCF-7). The relaxivity, the biodistribution, T1 relaxation times, and signal enhancement of the contrast agents are presented and the results are compared. After preparation of contrast agents, the animal studies were performed. The cells (2×106 cells) were injected subcutaneously in the both flanks of mice. Two to three weeks after tumor plantation, when the tumor diameter was 2-4 mm, mice were injected with the different contrast agents. The animals were sacrificed at 24 hr post IP injection followed by removal of critical organs. The T1 relaxation times and signal intensities of samples were measured using 11.4 T magnetic field and Gd concentration were measured using UV-spectrophotometer. For Gd-H, the percent of Gd localized to the tumors measured by UV-spect was 28, 23 and 21 in leukemia, melanoma and breast cells, respectively. For Gd-TCP this amount was 21%, 18% and 15%, respectively. For Gd-DTPA-9.2.27, Gd-DTPA-WM53 and Gd-DTPA-C595 approximately 35%, 32% and 27% of gadolinium localized to their specific tumor, respectively. The specific studied conjugates showed good tumor uptake in the relevant cell lines and low levels of Gd in the liver, kidney and spleen. The studied agents have considerable promise for further diagnosis applications of MR imaging.

Hospital-prepared tube feedings from three intensive care units of two hospitals in Isfahan, Iran were analyzed for microbial contamination. A total number of 152 samples (76 samples each at the time of preparation and 18 hours following preparation) were collected. Standard plate count, coliform count and Staphylococcus aureus count for all samples were conducted. Samples were analyzed also for the presence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. At the time of food preparation, out of 76 samples, 53 samples (70%) had coliform contamination and 87% of these contaminated samples had counts greater than 101 cfu/g. Also, 68 amples (90%) had S. aureus contamination greater than 101 cfu/g. In standard plate count, 74 samples (97%) had counts greater than 103 cfu/g, while 54 samples (71%) had counts greater than 104 cfu/g. In second sampling occasion, out of 76 samples, 68 samples (90%) had coliform contamination and 84% of these contaminated samples had counts greater than 101 cfu/g. Also, 72 samples (95%) had S. aureus contamination, 98.6% of these contaminated samples had counts greater than 102 cfu/g. In standard plate count, 74 samples (97%) had counts greater than 104 cfu/g. No Salmonella or Listeria was detected from samples. The results indicated that a majority of the blenderized enteral tube feedings in those hospitals are not safe. In comparison to the standard limits, these enteral tube feedings are highly ontaminated and posed substantial risk for developing a foodborne disease or nosocomial infection.

Lower digestive endoscopy is mostly limited to the cecum without any attempt to penetrate the ileum. One of the probable reasons is the expectation of a low diagnostic yield. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of ileoscopy during colonoscopy and its diagnostic yield. We prospectively studied 128 consecutive patients, who were referred to Poursina Hakim Research Institute for lower GI disorders evaluation over a four months period, from March to July 2003. We tried to do total colonoscopy and ileal intubation with special attention to the timing and success rate of colonoscopy in each landmark. Out of 128 subjects, successful examination of cecum was done in 120 (93.6%). Out of 120 patients whose cecum was reached and studied, we intended to perform ileal intubation in 99 patients. Successful terminal ileal (TI) intubation was accomplished in 93(93.9 %) of the examinations. Abnormal findings were seen in 4 cases. Normal ileal findings were also helpful in ruling out TI pathology in 78 other patients with abdominal pain, weight loss, lower GI bleeding or colonic inflammation, which made ileoscopy clinically valuable in 82 of 95 normal ileal examinations (86.3%) in this study. Ileoscopy is safe, fast and feasible, so we recommend it in all symptomatic cases since normal findingsare also valuable in patients’ clinical management. Considering normal findings, the routine ileoscopy had surprisingly higher diagnostic yield compared to the results of previous studies.

Iodine deficiency produces the spectrum of iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) including endemic goiter, hypothyroidism, cretinism and congenital anomalies. Other factors, including goitrogens and micronutrient deficiencies may influence the prevalence and severity of IDDs and response to iodine supplementation. An ssociation between zinc and goiter has previously been reported. A cross sectional study investigating an association between goiter and serum zinc status was performed in 2003 in a mountainous region of Iran. One thousand eight hundred twenty-eight children were selected by multistage cluster sampling. Goiter staging was performed by inspection and palpation. Serum zinc, total thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone and urinary iodine concentration were measured in a group of these children. Thirty six and seven tenth percent of subjects were classified as goitrous. Serum zinc level in goitrous and nongoitrous children was 82.80 ± 17.85 and 83.38 ± 16.25 9g/dl, respectively (p = 0.81). The prevalence of zinc deficiency (serum zinc; 65 9g/dl) in goitrous and nongoitrous children did not differ significantly (9.3 % vs. 10.8%, p = 0.70). Goiter is still a public health problem in Semirom. According to the present study zinc status may not play a role in the etiology of goiter in Semirom school children. However, the role of other goitrogens or micronutrient deficiencies should be investigated in this region.

There are few epidemiologic studies on vitamin D status of postmenopausal women in the Middle East countries. This study aimed to investigate the 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in ostmenopausal women living in the north-west of Iran. Using the records of the local household registry, 300 cases were enrolled by simple random sampling. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were determined by fully automated chemiluminescent mmunoassay. In addition, the study included survey questions regarding age, body weight and height, use of supplements and skin protection agents and clinical and reproductive histories. Our cases had the mean age of 63.41 ± 4.64 years with menopause duration of 16.79 ± 6.15 years. Median and interquartile 25-75 range of vitamin D were 14.20 ng/ml and 7-37.2 ng/ml espectively. We found hypovitaminosis D [25(OH) D < 10 ng/ml] in 38.3% of our cases. Serum 25(OH) D concentrations were not ignificantly correlated with age or BMI. These findings indicate that 25(OH) D levels in postmenopausal women of north-west Iran are low. Studies to elucidate and assess the dietary intake of vitamin D in elderly women of this region can be of further benefit.

Radial club hand includes wide spectrum of alformations that involve radial side of forearm. Conservative treatments are recommended to the milder types and surgical nterventions specially centralization for the severe forms. Recurrence after centralization is one of the challenging problems in this anomaly. In this study, we assessed the recurrence rate of centralization in radial club hand surgery in long term follow up. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records and radiographies of 9 patients with radial club hand who underwent centralization to correct the deformity in the hand surgery department. Patients'' age, type of the thumb anomaly, associated anomalies in other systems, involved side, type of radial club hand, hand-forearm angle preoperative, post operative and in the last follow up visit, and centralized wrists motion range in the final follow up visit were all assessed and reported. Eleven cases of radial club hand in nine patients underwent centralization. Mean age at the time of the centralization was 17 (6-72) months and mean follow up was 90 (48-170) months. Preoperative hand-forearm angle was 75 (30-110) degrees, immediate postoperative angle was 25 (15-35) degrees and in the last follow up visit it was 52 (40- 60) degrees. The amount of correction was 66% and loss of correction in long term was 54%. Centralization still can be a standard procedure in treatment of patients with radial club hand with acceptable results.

Volar lunate dislocation is the fourth and last stage of perilunate dislocation. It is an uncommon injury of the wrist and its bilateral occurrence is so rare that only one case has been reported in the literature. We are presenting the second case of this kind of wrist injury, its treatment and outcome.

Cystic hygroma (CH) in the cervical region presents as a challenge to the anesthetist. The anaesthetic difficulties are usually associated with CH because of tumor extension into the mouth, airway management, thoracic extension, hemorrhage, involvement of pretracheal region, Post operative respiratory obstruction and coexisting anomalies (Down syndromes, Turner syndromes and congenital cardiac defects). Disorders of the CH relevant to anaesthesia and intensive care medicine are discussed in this review.

In this article, we discuss clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and radiological findings in an old man with suppurative tender mass in the neck, accompanied by, fever, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, night sweat, cough, vomiting, anddysphagia. Pharyngeal exam revealed a huge retropharyngeal abscess.