Surgical outcomes of Cerebellopontine angle tumors in 50 cases

Introduction: To report our experience with a large series of surgical procedures for removal of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors using different approaches. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 50 patients (mean age, 49 years) with CPA tumors (predominantly acoustic neuroma) who underwent surgical removal using appropriate techniques (principally a translabyrinthine approach) during a 4-year period. Results: One death occurred during this study. There were nine cases (18) of cerebrospinal fluid leak, and five patients (10) were diagnosed as having bacterial meningitis. Complete gross tumor removal was not achieved in four patients (8). Facial nerve function as measured by the House Brackmann system was recorded in all patients 1 year following surgery: 32 had a score of 1 or 2; 26 had a score of 3 or 4; and 8 had a score of 5 or 6. Other complications included four cases of wound infection. Conclusion: The translabyrinthine approach was predominantly used in our series of CPA tumors, and complication rates were comparable with other large case series

Improvement in Activity of Daily Living and Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: the Impact of Nutrition Education

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common complications of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, a few studies are available on the effect of nutrition education on fatigue and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in patients with MS. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of nutrition education on fatigue and ability to perform ADL in patients with MS. Methods: This quasi-experimental one group, pretest and posttest study was performed on 40 patients with MS, who were conveniently recruited among patients, registered at the Iranian MS Society. Data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), a standard ADL scale, and a 24-hour food recall for two days. The instruments were completed at the start and two months after the intervention. Descriptive statistics and paired t test were used to analyze the data. Results: Sixty percent of the patients had severe fatigue before the intervention while, 90% of them reported mild fatigue after the intervention. The mean posttest ADL was increased by 12.45 units after the intervention when compared with the pretest value (P<0.001). Moreover, the daily intake of vitamin D and E, calcium and omega3 were lower than 75% of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) in most of the patients. Conclusions: The present study showed the beneficial effects of nutritional training on fatigue and ADL in patients with MS. Therefore, nurses and dietitians should regularly assess the patients’ dietary pattern and train them and their families about appropriate diet

Detection of qacEΔ1, qacG, qacE, qacF resistance genes in Escherichia coli producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases to benzalkonium chloride

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The resistance genes of quaternary ammonium compounds(qac) play an important role in the resistance of gram-negative bacteria producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases to disinfectants. The aim of this study was detection of qacEΔ1, qacG, qacE, qacF resistance genes in Escherichia coli producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases to benzalkonium chloride. METHODS: This study cross sectional-descriptive was conducted on 150 clinical samples of selected hospitals in Arak. ESBL strains were identified by using phenotypic methods of disc diffusion and combinatory disc method and evaluating the SHV, TEM, CTXM1 genes by genotyping method. The PCR was performed to determine the resistance genes qacEΔ1, qacG, qacE and qacF.The electrophoresis of PCR products and the MIC of benzalkonium chloride were relative to E. coli producing ESBL. Antibiotic pattern of Escherichia coli (ESBL), quadruple ammonium resistance genes and benzalkonium chloride MIC were also investigated. FINDINGS: This study showed that 60% of Escherichia coli were ESBL producer. The qacEΔ1 genes were observed in all of them and qacE, qacF, qacG genes were not found in any of the strains. The strains had MIC range from 32 to 64 mg/l for benzalkonium chloride. Resistance to carbapenems (33.33%) was observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed that qacEΔ1 resistance gene and resistance to disinfectant benzalkonium chloride increased. Also increased resistance to the antibiotics studied were observed in E. coli ESBL strains

Serum protein alterations in goats naturally infected with Babesia ovis

Summary This study was conducted to determine the electrophoretic pattern of serum protein in goats infected with Babesia ovis. Serum total protein was calculated and serum electrophoresis from 15 goats naturally infected with B. ovis as well as same number of healthy goats was performed. Microscopic examination of Giemsastained peripheral blood smears revealed B. ovis infection. The parasitological diagnosis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay by using a pair of B. ovis-specific primers. Mean values total protein and α and γ globulin fractions in infected goats were significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than those observed in the healthy group

Experimental assessment of the histopathological effects of water-soluble fraction of crude oil on gill tissue of juvenile Rutilus frisii kutum

The toxic effects of water soluble fraction (WSF) of crude oil on the gills of juvenile kutum roach, Rutilus frisii kutum, were investigated. The juvenile (1-2g) kutum roach were collected in summer 2008 from the Kolmeh Hatchery Center, Golestan province, and acclimatized to laboratory conditions through keeping them in a 300 liter tank with de- chlorinated water for a minimum of 8 days. Six different types of WSF concentrations were made to obtain LC5096h including 27, 29.25, 31.5, 33.75, 36 and 38.25ppm. Then, 10 fingerlings of R. frisii kutum were exposed to the WSF concentrations, for 96 hours. Considering mortality rate of the juveniles in 96 hours and using Probit value statistical analysis, LC5096h was obtained at 33.95ppm. Two different concentrations (0.1 LC50 and LC50) of WSF were prepared for further assessments and after 24 and 96h of exposure, 3 individual fish were collected from each aquarium for histopathological studies. The gill sections with 3 micron thickness were prepared, stained using H & E, and examined by light microscope. General damages after observation included: Epithelial lifting, congestion in filament and lamellae, clubbing, fusion, hypertrophy of epithelial cells of lamellae, different levels of hyperplasia between lamella and aneurysms. Pathological studies showed that the WSF of crude oil causes serious damage in gills of juvenile R. frisii kutum, leads to malfunction of this organ which will harm homeostasis of the fish

Echocardiographic evaluation of mitral geometry in functional mitral regurgitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>We sought to evaluate the geometric changes of the mitral leaflets, local and global LV remodeling in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and varying degrees of Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs as a consequence of systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction caused by ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Mitral valve repair in ischemic MR is one of the most controversial topic in surgery and proper repairing requires an understanding of its mechanisms, as the exact mechanism of FMR are not well defined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>136 consecutive patients mean age of 55 with systolic LV dysfunction and FMR underwent complete echocardiography and after assessing MR severity, LV volumes, Ejection Fraction, LV sphericity index, C-Septal distance, Mitral valve annulus, Interpapillary distance, Tenting distance and Tenting area were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was significant association between MR severity and echocardiogarphic indices (all p values < 0.001). Severe MR occurred more frequently in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients compared to ischemic patients, (p < 0.001). Based on the model, only Mitral valve tenting distance (TnD) (OR = 22.11, CI 95%: 14.18 – 36.86, p < 0.001) and Interpapillary muscle distance (IPMD), (OR = 6.53, CI 95%: 2.10 – 10.23, p = 0.001) had significant associations with MR severity.</p> <p>Mitral annular dimensions and area, C-septal distance and sphericity index, although greater in patients with severe regurgitation, did not significantly contribute to FMR severity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Degree of LV enlargement and dysfunction were not primary determinants of FMR severity, therefore local LV remodeling and mitral valve apparatus deformation are the strongest predictors of functional MR severity.</p

Early effects of parathyroid hormone on bisphosphonate/steroid-associated compromised osseous wound healing

Summary: Administration of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) promoted healing of tibial osseous defects and tooth extraction wounds and prevented the development of necrotic lesions in rats on a combined bisphosphonate and steroid regimen. Introduction: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has emerged in association with antiresorptive therapies. The pathophysiology of ONJ is unknown and no established cure currently exists. Our objective was to determine the effect of intermittent PTH administration on early osseous healing in the jaw and long bones of rats receiving bisphosphonate and steroid treatment. Methods: Ovariectomized rats received the combination therapy of alendronate and dexamethasone (ALN/DEX) for 12 weeks. Osseous wounds were created in the jaw and tibia. PTH was administered intermittently and healing at 2 weeks post-op was compared between the jaw and tibia by microcomputed tomography and histomorphometric analyses. Results: ALN/DEX treatment was associated with necrotic open wounds in the jaw but had no negative effects on healing and promoted bone fill in tibial defects. PTH therapy prevented the development of necrotic lesions in the jaw and promoted healing of the tibial defects. PTH therapy was associated with the promotion of osteocyte survival in osseous wounds both in the jaw and tibia. Conclusions: Wound healing was impaired in the jaw in rats on a combined bisphosphonate and steroid regimen, and PTH therapy rescued necrotic lesions. These findings suggest that PTH therapy could be utilized to prevent ONJ from occurring in patients on combination antiresorptive and steroid therapy