Short communication: Occurrence of Ophidonais serpentina in Potamon persicum from Jajrood River, Iran

Crustaceans are ecologically important, because of their effective role in food web and community structure of ecosystems. Taxonomic identity of fresh water crabs has been studied in Iran representing Potamidae family as dominant fluvial crabs. In 2001 Khatami recorded an unknown oligochaete in the mantle cavity of fresh water crab Potamon persicum. The present study further separated and identified an oligochaete from Potamon persicum in Jajrood River, east of Tehran, Iran. Two hundred and fifteen specimens of Potamon persicum were collected using a trap during four seasons from Jajrood River (51° 41´ to 51° 48´N and 35° 37´ to 35° 47´E) during March to August 2004. The specimens were taken to the research laboratory, dissected after biometry and the mantle and branchial cavities were examined for the existence of oligochaetes

Calculation of the X-ray spectrum of a mammography system with various voltages and different anode-filter combinations using MCNP code

Introduction One of the best methods in the diagnosis and control of breast cancer is mammography. The importance of mammography is directly related to its value in the detection of breast cancer in the early stages, which leads to a more effective treatment. The purpose of this article was to calculate the X-ray spectrum in a mammography system with Monte Carlo codes, including MCNPX and MCNP5. Materials and Methods The device, simulated using the MCNP code, was Planmed Nuance digital mammography device (Planmed Oy, Finland), equipped with an amorphous selenium detector. Different anode/filter materials, such as molybdenum-rhodium (Mo-Rh), molybdenum-molybdenum (Mo-Mo), tungsten-tin (W-Sn), tungsten-silver (W-Ag), tungsten-palladium (W-Pd), tungsten-aluminum (W-Al), tungsten-molybdenum (W-Mo), molybdenum-aluminum (Mo-Al), tungsten-rhodium (W-Rh), rhodium-aluminum (Rh-Al), and rhodium-rhodium (Rh-Rh), were simulated in this study. The voltage range of the X-ray tube was between 24 and 34 kV with a 2 kV interval. Results The charts of changing photon flux versus energy were plotted for different types of anode-filter combinations. The comparison with the findings reported by others indicated acceptable consistency. Also, the X-ray spectra, obtained from MCNP5 and MCNPX codes for W-Ag and W-Rh combinations, were compared. We compared the present results with the reported data of MCNP4C and IPEM report No. 78 for Mo-Mo, Mo-Rh, and W-Al combinations. Conclusion The MCNPX calculation outcomes showed acceptable results in a low-energy X-ray beam range (10-35 keV). The obtained simulated spectra for different anode/filter combinations were in good conformity with the finding of previous research

Reduction of intraoperative bleeding with fibrinogen administration in posterior spinal fusion surgery

Background: Spinal surgeries are frequently complicated with high rate of intra- and post-operative hemorrhage. It is shown that the serum fibrinogen level is a pivotal factor in determining the degree of intra- and post-operative hemorrhage. This study sought to examine the effect of prophylactic infusion of fibrinogen in preventing hemorrhage in candidates for posterior spinal fusion surgery. Methods: 41 patients who were candidates for posterior spinal fusion surgery were randomly devided in two groups of intervention (21 patients) and control (20 patients), receiving either infusion of fibrinogen (1 g in 100 cc of normal saline infused within 5 minutes after induction) or placebo, respectively. Changes in serum hemoglobin and fibrinogen, the severity of intraoperative hemorrhage, and the need for blood transfusion were compared between the two groups. Findings: While pre- and postoperative changes in serum hemoglobin and fibrinogen did not differ significantly between the two groups, the mean blood loss (533.3 ± 157.9 vs. 679.0 ± 130.0 ml, P = 0.003) and the need for blood transfusion (0 vs. 30 percent, P = 0.030) were significantly higher in the control group. Conclusion: Prophylactic infusion of fibrinogen in candidates for posterior spinal fusion surgery may significantly decrease the amount of intra-operative hemorrhage and the need for blood transfusion. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All Rights Reserved

Stress as a risk factor for noncompliance with treatment regimens in patients with diabetes and hypertension

BACKGROUND: We have assessed the role of stress on compliance of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) with taking prescribed medications and following dietary and exercise regimens. METHODS: A total of 9544 individuals more than 19 years of age were selected from three counties in central Iran. The presence of DM and HTN were asked from participants. We defined treatment adherence (compliance) based on agreement of individual�s self-report behavior with recommendations from a physician. RESULTS: Awareness about DM and HTN was 82.6 and 49.9, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that odds ratio (OR) of high to low stress level was lower than one for both �usage of medication� and �following exercise regimen� in diabetics even after adjustment for either �age and sex� or �age, sex and education�. In hypertensive patients, OR of high to low stress level was lower than one for �usage of medication� even after adjustment for either �age and sex� or �age, sex and education� and also lower than one for �following exercise regimen� only as crude index. CONCLUSION: Cases with higher stress level had lower compliance for accepting either medication or exercise as a treatment option for their DM or HTN. © 2016, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

Diabetes mellitus and bell's palsy in Iranian population

During last decades many researchers have focused on the conditions associated with Bell's palsy including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and viral infections. This study was performed to evaluate correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy and some relevant features not discussed in the literature in an Iranian population. The presence of diabetes mellitus was evaluated in a total number of 275 subjects (75 patients with Bell's palsy and 200 control subjects). Diabetes mellitus was noted in 10 (13.3) patients with Bell's palsy among which 6 case were diagnosed as new cases of diabetes. Previous history of Bell's palsy was present in 10.67 of the subjects with Bell's palsy. This study confirms the correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy for the first time in an Iranian population. We suggest screening tests for diabetes mellitus to be a routine part in the management of patients with Bell's palsy, especially in developing countries. © 2008 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The risk of nosocomial infection with multidrug-resistant corynebacterium urealyticum after prostate cancer surgery

Corynebacterium urealyticum is a Gram-positive, lipophilic, multidrug resistant, and urease positive microorganism with diph-theroid morphology. C. urealyticum causes several diseases such as urinary tract infection, chronic urological disease, urinary tract infections, and bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals. This study reports a rare case with nosocomial infection and hematuria caused by multidrug-resistant C. urealyticum after prostate cancer surgery. © 2019, Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases

Relationship between metabolic syndrome and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: There are a few literature data on the correlation between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary disease among Iranian population. This study aimed to find relationship between MetS and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in presence of diabetes. METHODS: Total of 192 patients were consecutively enrolled in the study who were admitted to coronary care unit because of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and then underwent coronary angiography. MetS was defined by Iranian criteria. A coronary atherosclerosis score was used to quantify the extent of atherosclerotic involvement. The relationship between MetS and angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) severity or clinical presentation was compared between them after adjusting for diabetes. RESULTS: Individuals with MetS (n = 125) had a higher prevalence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (71 vs 30, P < 0.001), multi-vessel disease (50 vs. 34, P = 0.003), decreased ejection fraction (P = 0.001) and more severe angiographic stenosis based on both modified Gensini (P = 0.081) and syntax (P = 0.008) scores, compared to those without MetS. Syntax score showed statistically significant difference between two groups before (P = 0.021) and after adjustment for diabetes (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: MetS was related to the severity of CAD both clinically and by angiographic scores but diabetes was a challenging factor and may independently increase the severity of CAD. © 2016,.Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

Inhibition study on insulin fibrillation and cytotoxicity by paclitaxel

Alzheimer, a neurodegenerative disease, and a large variety of pathologic conditions are associated with a form of protein aggregation known as amyloid fibrils. Since fibrils and prefibrillar intermediates are cytotoxic, numerous attempts have been made to inhibit fibrillation process as a therapeutic strategy. Peptides, surfactants and aromatic small molecules have been used as fibrillation inhibitors. Here we studied the effects of paclitaxel, a polyphenol with a high tendency for interaction with proteins, on fibrillation of insulin as a model protein. The effects of paclitaxel on insulin fibrillation were determined by Thioflavin T fluorescence, Congo red absorbance, circular dichroism and atomic force microscopy. These studies indicated that paclitaxel considerably hindered nucleation, and therefore, fibrillation of insulin in a dose-dependant manner. The isothermal titration calorimetry studies showed that the interaction between paclitaxel and insulin was spontaneous. In addition, the van der Waal's interactions and hydrogen bonds were prominent forces contributing to this interaction. Computational results using molecular dynamic simulations and docking studies revealed that paclitaxel diminished the polarity of insulin dimer and electrostatic interactions by increasing the hydrophobicity of its dimer state. Furthermore, paclitaxel reduced disrupting effects of insulin fibrils on PC12 cell's neurite outgrowth and complexity, and enhanced their survival. © 2014 The Authors 2014