Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:16 Issue: 10, Oct 2011

In a manuscript published in July of 2011, Saidpour et al1 reported beneficial effects of fish oil and olive oil on insulin resistance after an eight-week intervention in rats. Fish oil is a rich source of n-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).2 There is evidence for the role of n-3 fatty acids in insulin resistance and diabetes, as other studies have shown similar effects of fish oil on insulin resistance in obese rats2 as well as in humans.3 Furthermore, according to a recent study, omega-3 supplementation in diabetic patients results in increasing visfatin levels,4 although evidence is controversial regarding visfatin and its function. While visfatin is an inflammatory factor and higher levels may have adverse effects,4 omega-3 fatty acids help prevent glucose intolerance and have anti-inflammatory properties.5

esophageal cancer is the 8th most common cancer and the 6th leading cause of cancer-related death, worldwide. In Iran, the high incidence rates of this type of cancer have been reported from the Caspian Sea region. This study aimed at assessing the factors affecting survival of patients with esophageal cancer in neighbor provinces around Caspian Sea using parametric and semi-parametric models with univariate gamma frailty model. In this study, we performed a prospective review of 359 patients presenting with esophageal cancer from 1990 to 1991. The data were obtained using the Cancer Registry information existed in Babol research center in Iran. Study participants were followed-up until 2006 for a period of 15 years. Hazard ratio was used to interpret the risk of death. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was considered as a criterion to select the best model(s). Of the 359 patients, 225 (62.7%) were male with a mean age of 60.0 years and 134 (37.3%) were female with a mean age of 55.3 at the time of diagnosis. 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates after diagnosis were 23%, 15% and 13%, respectively. Comparison between Cox and parametric models of AIC showed that the overall fitting was improved under parametric models. Among parametric models, the log-logistic model with gamma frailty provided better performance than other models. Using this model, we found that gender (p=0.012) and family history of cancer (p= 0.003) were significant predictors. Since the proportionality assumption of the Cox model was not held (p = 0.01), the Cox regression model was not an appropriate choice for analyzing our data. According to our findings, log logistic model with gamma frailty could be considered as a useful statistical model in survival analysis of patients with esophageal cancer rather than Cox and log-normal models.

The association between C-reactive protein, homocysteine, uric acid levels and cardiovascular risk have been debated for decades. Resistin is a newly discovered adipocyte derived cytokine. Smoking besides its effect on atherosclerosis, is shown to alter adipocytokine levels. Bearing in mind, these complex relationship of resistin with smoking, C-reactive protein, homocysteine and uric acid, we planned to investigate the association of resistin and these cardiovascular risk factors in smoker and non-smoker subjects. We conducted a cross-sectional randomized study including 52 smoking and 33 non-smoking men. After making comparisons of C-reactive protein, homocysteine, uric acid and resistin between the two groups, we classified the subjects according to their insulin resistance and body mass and made again the comparisons. Resistin levels were higher in smokers than in non-smokers (p<0.001) and also in insulin resistant than in non-insulin resistant smokers (p<0.05). Resistin levels were indifferent in non-smokers as insulin resistance was concerned and in smoker or non-smokers as body mass index was concerned. As all subjects were grouped based on homeostasis model assesment index and body mass index, neither C-reactive protein nor homocysteine and uric acid levels differred. We found that smoking may have influence on resistin levels and in smokers, insulin resistance is related to resistin levels, but in smoker and non-smokers body mass may not have any association with resistin. Resistin also may not have a role in C-reactive protein, homocysteine and uric acid levels both in smokers and non-smokers.

Early diagnosis of infection with the use of valuable markers leads to decreased mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) for detecting nosocomial infection in hospitalized patients without localizing signs. We conducted a prospective observational study on 150 hospitalized patients with fever > 38ºC emerging 48-72 hours after their admission at Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The subjects did not have any localizing sign of infection. PCT and CRP values were determined using rapid tests and were compared with results of blood culture as the standard test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PV) and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated for both PCT and CRP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the PCT and CRP for detecting nosocomial infections. Finally, the areas under the resulting curves were compared. PCT had a sensitivity of 57.1%, a specificity of 89.1%, a positive PV of 46.2%, and a negative PV of 92.7% while the corresponding percentages for CRP test were 76.2%, 48%, 19.3%, and 92.5%. PCT marker also had a higher positive LR and lower negative LR than did CRP marker. The observed areas under the ROC curves were 0.73 for CRP (95% CI, 0.63-0.82; p = 0.023) and 0.80 for PCT (95% CI, 0.68-0.91; p = 0.001). The optimal cut-off values (best diagnostic accuracy) were 39 mg/L for CRP and 7.5 ng/mL for PCT. Determination of PCT and CRP is a valuable tool for identifying nosocomial infections. PCT showed better specificity, negative and positive PV. However CRP showed significantly better sensitivity compared with PCT. Therefore, these tests should be considered as part of initial work-up for patients with unknown source of infection.

This study’s aim was to design and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessment of fruits and vegetables (FV) consumption in adults of Isfahan by comparing the FFQ with dietary reference method and blood plasma levels of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and retinol. This validation study was performed on 123 healthy adults of Isfahan. FV intake was assessed using a 110-item FFQ. Data collection was performed during two different time periods to control for seasonal effects, fall/winter (cold season) and spring/summer (warm season). In each phase a FFQ and 1 day recall, and 2 days of food records as the dietary reference method were completed and plasma vitamin C, beta-carotene and retinol were measured. Data was analyzed by Pearson or Spearman and intraclass correlations. Serum Lipids, sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and educational level adjusted Pearson correlation coefficient of FV with plasma vitamin C, beta-carotene and retinol were 0.55, 0.47 and 0.28 in the cold season (p < 0.05) and 0.52, 0.45 and 0.35 in the warm season (p < 0.001), respectively. Energy and fat intake, sex, age, BMI and educational level adjusted Pearson correlation coefficient for FV with dietary reference method in the cold and warm seasons were 0.62 and 0.60, respectively (p < 0.001). Intraclass correlation for reproducibility of FFQ in FV was 0.65 (p<0.001). The designed FFQ had a good criterion validity and reproducibility for assessment of FV intake. Thus, it can serve as a valid tool in epidemiological studies to assess fruit and vegetable intake.

Acute Phase Reactants (APRs) have a wide range of activities that contribute to host defense. The aim of this report was to evaluate the dynamics and magnitude of these proteins in various microvascular complications in diabetes mellitus (DM). We also sought to assess the predictive values of APRs and other clinical variables in the outcome of microvascular complications in DM. This was a cross sectional study carried out in 200 Nigerian subjects with type 2 DM and 100 sex and age matched healthy controls. The studied APRs included C-reactive protein, beta 2 microglobulin, fibrinogen and lipoprotein (a). The mean values of the APRs were significantly higher in type 2 DM compared with the controls and were observed in higher concentrations in those with microvascular complications, except beta 2 microglobulin. Presence of microvascular complications was observed in those with dilated fundus examination (retinopathy), symptom score of 3.0 (neuropathy), urea and creatinine levels above 50mg% and 1.5mg% with significant proteinuria (nephropathy). Significant increase in mean ± SEM values of lipoprotein (a) was observed in diabetic retinopathy in comparison with those without complications (25.76 ± 1.13 mg/dl vs. 22.37 ± 0.73 mg/dl, p = 0.005). Elevated C-reactive protein was observed in diabetic neuropathy in comparison with those without complications (11.43 ± 2.33 u/ml vs. 8.30 ± 1.15 u/ml, p = 0.048). Increased beta 2 microglobulin levels were observed in patients with diabetic foot ulcers in comparison with those without complications (3.04 ± 0.51 mg/dl vs. 2.54 ± 0.14 mg/dl, p = 0.049). Circulating levels of Lipoprotein (a) predicted retinopathy in DM with both good and poor long-term glycemic control while duration of DM predicted the occurrence of foot ulcers. Increased level of APRs was associated with a number of microvascular complications and may play a role in the pathogenesis.

Aluminium phosphide (AlP) is used as a fumigant. It produces phosphine gas which is a mitochondrial poison. Although this poisoning has been repeatedly reported in literature with a high mortality rate, there is no known antidote for AlP intoxication. In the present study, we studied the effects of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on the survival time of AlP intoxicated rats. Intoxicated rats with AlP (11.5 mg/kg, oral gavage) were placed in hyperbaric oxygenation with different concentrations of compressed air and oxygen. All the animals exposed to AlP died within 5 days. The mean survival times of rats exposed to AlP without any intervention, treated with hyperbaric condition by compressed air, and treated with hyperbaric condition by pure O2 were 91 ± 1, 262 ± 8, and 276 ± 6 minutes, respectively. In analysis of survival times, there was a significant difference between Group 2 which received AlP and the groups which underwent intervention (Groups 2 and 3, p < 0.001; Groups 2 and 4, p < 0.001). Hyperbaric oxygenation may probably improve the survival time of the intoxicated rats with aluminium phosphide, but it may not decrease the mortality rate.

Evaluating the function of facial nerve is essential in order to determine the influences of various treatment methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate and assess the agreement of Photoshop scaling system versus the Sunnybrook facial grading system (SFGS). In this semi-experimental study, thirty subjects with facial nerve paralysis were recruited. The evaluation of all patients before and after the treatment was performed by SFGS and Photoshop measurements. The mean values of SFGS before and after the treatment were 35 ± 25 and 67 ± 24, respectively (p < 0.001). In Photoshop assessment, mean changes of face expressions in the impaired side relative to the normal side in rest position and three main movements of the face were 3.4 ± 0.55 and 4.04 ± 0.49 before and after the treatment, respectively (p < 0.001). Spearman's correlation coefficient between different values in the two methods was 0.66 (p < 0.001). Evaluating the facial nerve palsy using Photoshop was more objective than using SFGS. Therefore, it may be recommended to use this method instead.

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is one of the major causes of visual loss and increase in central macular thickness (CMT). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) alone or in combination with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVB/IVT) versus macular laser photocoagulation (MPC) as primary treatment for DME when confounders were considered. Skew-symmetric bivariate mixed modeling according to best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CMT was done on the data of 103 diabetic patients from ophthalmic research center of Labbafinejad medical center (Tehran, Iran) to determine the best DME treatment by adjusting the effect of confounders. Although there was no significant difference between IVB/IVT (p > 0.05), these two treatments increased BCVA and decreased CMT better than MPC (p < 0.05). The following three groups showed better treatment responses: 1) women, 2) patients with more diabetes duration, 3) patients whose CMT were higher and VA were lower at the beginning of the clinical trial. Using skew-symmetric mixed effect model as updated statistical method in presence of asymmetric or outlier data, we received different results compared to the same investigation on this study by analyzing BCVA and CMT simultaneously. This research demonstrated the effect of IVB alone or in combination with intravitreal IVB/IVT on visual power and decreasing CMT during follow up.

The Alberta Stroke Program Early Computerized Tomography Score (ASPECTS) was used to detect significant early ischemic changes on brain CT of acute stroke patients. We designed the modified ASPECTS and compared it to the above system based on the inter-rater reliability. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted based on the inter-rater reliability. The CT images were chosen from the stroke data bank of Ghaem hospital, Mashhad in 2010. The inclusion criteria were the presence of middle cerebral artery territory infarction and performance of CT within 6 hours after stroke onset. Axial CT scans were performed on a third-generation CT scanner (Siemens, ARTX, Germany). Section thickness above posterior fossa was 10 mm (130 kV, 150 mAs). Films were made at window level of 35 HU. The brain CTs were scored by four independent radiologists based on the ASPECTS and modified ASPECTS. The readers were blind to clinical information except symptom side. Cochrane Q and Kappa tests served for statistical analysis. 24 CT scans were available and of sufficient quality. Difference in distribution of dichotomized ≤7 and >7 ASPECT scores between four raters was significant (Q=13.071, df=3, p=0.04). Distribution of dichotomized <6 and ≥6 scores based on modified ASPECT system between 4 raters was not significantly different (Q=6.349, df=3, p=0.096). Modified ASPECT method is more reliable than ASPECTS in detecting major early ischemic changes in stroke patients candidated to tPA thrombolysis.

The most common cause of shock in the surgical or trauma patient is hemorrhage. Crystalloid solutions and blood transfusion are the mainstays of treatment of hemorrhagic shock. Considering the disadvantages of allogeneic blood transfusion, such as risk of transmission of infectious diseases, and access and maintenance limitations, treatment of shock with autologous blood seems to be a decent solution. Autologous blood accumulated in body cavities in traumatic bleeding (such hemothorax), and bloodshed in operation field during open heart or vascular surgeries, and similar situations, can be utilized again. In this study, autotransfusion effects compared with crystalloid fluid in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock was investigated. After induction of hemorrhagic shock in dogs by Wiggers type controlled bleeding, treating them in a group with autologous blood and another group with Ringer lactate were performed, and the results of treatment were studied. There was no mortality in both treatment approaches. Immediately after treatment, crystalloid positive effects such as renormalized vital signs and appropriate consciousness were more noticeable than autotransfusion, while twenty-four hours after, the desired effects of autologous blood were more pronounced like decreased metabolic acidosis and improvement of diuresis. Crystalloid during the first hours after treatment of hemorrhagic shock may be better than autologous blood as preferred treatment, while autotransfusion showed its benefits some hours after. This finding can be used to develop better strategies for treatment of hemorrhagic shock.

Postanesthetic shivering is one of the most common complications of anesthesia. We compared the efficacy of meperidine and two low doses of ketamine with placebo to prevent postanesthetic shivering after general anesthesia. This was a prospective, randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial involving 120 ASA I-II patients aging 20-50 years, undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with general anesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated to receive meperidine 0.4 mg/kg (Group M, n = 30), ketamine 0.3 mg/kg (Group K1, n = 30), ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (Group K2, n = 30), or normal saline (Group N, n = 30) 20 minutes before completion of the surgery. Tympanic temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured before and immediately after induction of anesthesia, 30 minutes after induction, and before administration of the study drugs. The drugs were prepared and diluted to a volume of 2 ml and presented as coded syringes. An investigator, blinded to the groups, graded postanesthetic shivering using a four-point scale. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Windows version 16. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Patient characteristics of the four groups were similar. The number of patients with observed shivering in groups was 0, 3, 1, and 9 in Groups M, K1, K2 and N, respectively. The difference between groups M, K1, and K2 with Group N was statistically significant. However, differences between groups M and K1, M and K2, and K1 and K2 were not significant. The number of patients with a shivering score of 2 or 3 was higher in Group N compared with other groups. Prophylactic use of low doses of intravenous ketamine (0.3 or 0.5 mg/kg) was found to be effective to prevent postanesthetic shivering. However, administration of 0.3 mg/kg ketamine lowered the rate of hallucination as compared with 0.5 mg/kg.

Widespread use of supplements is observed among world athletes in different fields. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and determinants of using supplements among body builder athletes. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 men and 250 women from 30 different bodybuilding clubs. Participants were asked to complete a self-administered standardized anonymous check-list. Forty nine percent of the respondents declared supplement use. Men were more likely to take supplements than women (86.8% vs. 11.2%, p = 0.001). Reasons for using supplements were reported to be for health (45%), enhancing the immune system (40%) and improving athletic performance (25%). Most athletes (72%) had access to a nutritionist but underused this resource. Coaches (65%) had the greatest influence on supplementation practices followed by nutritionists (30%) and doctors (25%) after them. The prevalence of supplement use among bodybuilders was high. Sex, health-related issues and sport experts were determinant factors of supplement use.

Dextromethorphan (DM) is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that may be useful during opiate addiction process, especially in reducing methadone consumption in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of DM on reducing methadone dose in MMT used to treat illicit opioid drug abuse. A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was designed. Seventy two opiate abusers undergoing MMT were randomly divided into two groups. Participants in the intervention group were medicated by DM while those in the control group received placebo. After a 6-week follow-up, methadone consumption dosage, quality of life (QOL) and withdrawal symptoms were assessed and compared between the two groups by repeated measure ANOVA statistical test. The mean of methadone consumption in the DM and control groups were 62.7 mg/day (52.7-72.7) and 70.4 mg/day (60.4-80.4), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups among the four evaluations made (F = 1.192, p = 0.279). There were not any significant differences in withdrawal symptoms between the two groups (p > 0.05). Total mean scores of QOL in the intervention and control groups were 84.8 (78.7-90.8) and 77.8 (71.8-83.7) (p > 0.05), respectively. Although DM might be useful for opioid dependence treatment, results of the current study did not reveal any statistically significant differences. Therefore, further studies exploring this possibility are needed.

Chronic opium exposure leads to altered response to opioid compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the behavioral effects of opium tolerance on the analgesic effects of intrathecal lidocaine in rats. 24 adult male Sprague Dawley rats divided into 3 groups (8 in each); all with an intrathecal catheter. The first group was morphine tolerated; then received IT lidocaine (ML); the 2nd group not morphine tolerated; received IT lidocaine (L); the 3rd group, not morphine tolerated, received IT placebo. Tail flick test was done and maximal possible antinociceptive effect (MPAE) was compared. A significant increase in the L group and decrease in the ML group for MPAE results (p value for ANOVA=0.000). After intrathecal lidocaine administration a hyperalgesic response is seen in the morphine tolerated rats and an analgesic response is seen in the lidocaine group.

Brucellosis is a major public health problem in developing country and has remained endemic in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the Seroprevalence of Brucellosis among high risk individuals in Guilan, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 478 blood samples from people living in rural areas (n=292) and 186 slaughterhouse workers were screened by slide agglutination and microplate agglutination tests. Seropositive specimens were analyzed with Elisa for IgG and IgM antibody. Seroprevalence of brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers and the people living in rural areas were 9.8% (n = 18) and 5.5% (n = 16), respectively (p = 0.04). A significant association was observed between the seropositivity and type of abattoir (p = 0.04) and contact with animal (p = 0.02) among slaughterhouse workers as well as consumption of unpasteurized milk products (p = 0.02) in people living in rural areas. IgG antibodies titer was higher than IgM in seropositive cases of the slaughterhouse workers and the people living in rural areas. Seroprevalence of brucellosis in slaughterhouse workers was higher than people living in rural areas. Consumption of raw products and direct contact with domestic animals were found to be significant risk factor for brucellosis. High titer of IgG antibody among the two study groups indicated that most seropositive subjects were in chronic phase of brucellosis.

Using Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) in clinical practice is an important strategy for improving and updating medical services. Therefore, EBM has recently attracted a lot of attention in many medical schools around the world. In this study we tried to evaluate the familiarity of clinical residents who are one of the main clinical decision makers in public hospitals and also the next generation of specialists with EBM and EBM databases. This was a cross–sectional study in 2010 in which clinical residents of Kerman Medical University (KMU) participated. Residents were asked about the four main EBM databases. The data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. The data showed that from the respondents only 26.6% knew about EBM and only 28.7% of the respondents were familiar with "Up to Date", 22.3% were familiar with "Ovid EBM Reviews", 6.4% were familiar with "Cochrane" and 5.3% were familiar with "BMJ Clinical Evidence". The frequencies of those that actually used the databases for clinical decision making and could answer the search questions were even less. The results showed most of the residents lack sufficient knowledge about EBM and its databases. The reason is probably the inexistence of a systematic and comprehensive curriculum for EBM education during their residency program or undergraduate program. Thus, due to the importance of learning EBM in this group, there is a necessity to plan a comprehensive and proper education schedule for EBM and EBM database use at the beginning or further stages of residency.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a difficult-to-treat psychosomatic disease. Very few cases of acute liver failure associated with AN have been described. We describe one patient who was affected by AN and presented high level increase of serum liver enzymes, along with sever thrombocytopenia. Then, we discuss the possible etiopathogenic factors. A 14-year-old boy with AN was admitted in the pediatric psychiatric emergency department of Alzahra Hospital with impaired electrolyte levels, bradycardia, hypotension, liver dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia. A ten-time increase in liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia were observed on admission. After two months of treatment, the levels were within the normal range. Improvement of initial clinical symptoms and recovery of liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia after the treatment suggested that liver dysfunction and thrombocytopenia may be observed in AN patients and should be taken care of by physicians.

Pelvic lymphoma is not a common condition and aggressive recurrence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as a cause is rarely reported. We report a case of lymphoma of left adnexa in a postmenopausal woman, with a three week history of abdominal and left flank pain. Past medical history was consistent with diagnosis of CLL. She had received chemotherapy. Due to abdominal and flank pain and abdominopelvic mass, exploratory laparotomy was done with the impression of ovarian malignancy. A large uterus with adnexal mass and a large tumoral bladder was seen. Biopsy was done from adnexal mass which was compatible with lymphoma. The abdomen was closed and the patient was referred for chemotherapy. Lymphoma usually does not involve the pelvic organs. After laparotomy, her condition deteriorated and she expired.

Exercise has positive effects on central nervous system, especially when there is a context of disorder.1 Considering the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and lack of a decisive treatment, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise on learning and memory in rats after intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (ICV-STZ), a well defined model for Alzheimer’s disease. 2Experimental groups consisted of sham-rest, sham-exercise, lesion-rest and lesion–exercise groups. Rats in lesion group received ICV-STZ. In the exercise group, rats were made to run on a treadmill (20 m/min, 0-degree inclination, 50 min/day, 4 weeks). Morris water maze test was used to evaluate spatial learning and memory.The results showed that spatial learning and memory indices were significantly impaired in the rats with ICV-STZ (Figure 1). However, exercise prevented impairments as there was a significant difference between lesion–exercise and lesion–rest groups.The findings of this study suggested that similar to Alzheimer’s disease, ICV-STZ severely impairs cognitive process, but exercise prevents this damage. Therefore, exercise probably is helpful in prevention and alleviation of cognitive disorders in Alzheimer’s disease.