A comparative study on the meaning in life of patients with cancer and their family members

Introduction: Overwhelming effects of cancer could be catastrophic for the patients and their family members putting them at risk of experiencing uncertainty, loss, and interruption in life. Also, it can influence their sense of meaning, a fundamental need equated with purpose in life. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare the meaning in life (MiL) of patients with cancer with and their family members. Methods: This descriptive comparative study was conducted on 400 patients with cancer and their family members admitted to university hospitals in Tabriz and Ardebil provinces, Iran. The participants were sampled conveniently and the Life Evaluation Questionnaire (LEQ) were used for collecting data which analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean score for the MiL of patients with cancer and their family members was 119 ± 16.92 and 146.2 ± 17.07, respectively. There is a significant difference between patients with cancer and their family members in terms of MiL (p<0.001). Conclusion: The MiL of patients with cancer is lower than their family members which indicates the necessity for further attention to the psychological process and its modification in Iranian healthcare systems

Role of myeloperoxidase index in differentiation of megaloblastic and aplastic anemia

BACKGROUND: Elevated neutrophil myeloperoxidase may have a role in the diagnosis of megaloblastic erythropoiesis. AIMS: To study the differentiating role of myeloperoxidase index in megaloblastic and aplastic anemia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The myeloperoxidase index (MPXI) was studied in 96 patients with megaloblastic and aplastic anemia diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy examinations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: MPXI was measured with Technicon H1 (Bayer) automated analyzer. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney statistical test was used to compare the MPXI values between groups. RESULTS: The mean MPXI in megaloblastics and aplastic anemia was 18.3 and 1.8 (p20 denoted megaloblastic and MPXI 20 rules out aplastic and MPXI <-11.6 rules out megaloblastic anemia

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus in blood donors in the northwest of Iran

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the causal agent of infection in immunocompromised patients andtransplant recipients, or those patients who receive blood transfusion frequently. Seroprevalence of CMV has beenreported to be highest in South America, Africa, and Asia, and lowest in Western Europe and United States. Datareferring to the prevalence of anti-CMV antibody among healthy people in Iran is scanty, but its incidence may reach100% among blood donors and recipients, likely due to condensed population and socio-economic status. METHODS: The blood specimens of 200 volunteer donors were tested through ELISA for anti-CMV immunoglobulinG (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in our hospital. RESULTS: According to these analyses, 98.5% and 85% of the specimens were found to be positive for anti-CMV IgGand IgM antibodies, respectively. This study shows that like other regions, anti-CMV seropositivity is high in Iran andblood transfusion is an important route of CMV spread. CONCLUSIONS: Since up to 95% of blood donors in Iran are seropositive for CMV, it would seem superfluous toscreen blood donors for CMV, as few seronegative blood units would be available for transfusion. Leukoreductioncould be a more appropriate and cost-effective prevention of transmission of CMV through infected blood in Iran

Graphene quantum dot modified glassy carbon electrode for the determination of doxorubicin hydrochloride in human plasma

Low toxic graphene quantum dot (GQD) was synthesized by pyrolyzing citric acid in alkaline solution and characterized by ultraviolet--visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), spectrofluorimetery and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. GQD was used for electrode modification and electro-oxidation of doxorubicin (DOX) at low potential. A substantial decrease in the overvoltage (−0.56 V) of the DOX oxidation reaction (compared to ordinary electrodes) was observed using GQD as coating of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Differential pulse voltammetry was used to evaluate the analytical performance of DOX in the presence of phosphate buffer solution (pH 4.0) and good limit of detection was obtained by the proposed sensor. Such ability of GQD to promote the DOX electron-transfer reaction suggests great promise for its application as an electrochemical sensor

Effect of Beta Glucan on Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy in the world. Beta glucan may improve quality of life in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of Beta glucan on quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This study was conducted on 30 women with breast carcinoma. The eligible participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=15) or placebo (n=15) groups using a block randomization procedure. Patients in the intervention group received two 10-mg capsules of soluble 1-3, 1-6, D-beta glucan daily and the placebo group received placebo for 21 days, in an interval between two courses of chemotherapy. Health - related quality of life (HRQL) was evaluated using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire version.3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30) at the beginning and end of the study. Results: At the end of the study, the Global health status /QoL score for the Beta glucan group was significantly increased (P=0.023), but the difference between the two groups was not significant. After intervention, the Functional scales score showed no significant change (P=0.099) between the two groups or within the groups. At the end of the study, the Symptom scales\items score was decreased significantly in Beta glucan group comparing the placebo group (P=0.048), as well as after adjusting for baseline score. The Symptom scales\items score’s change was significant (P=0.012) within the Beta glucan group, compared with the baseline score. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Beta glucan may be useful as a complementary or adjuvant therapy for improving quality of life in breast cancer patients in combination with cancer therapies

Usefulness of CD45 density in the diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders

Background: Although many B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (BCLPDs) including B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) have characteristic clinical and biological features, the overlapping morphologic and immunophenotypic profiles of various BCLPDs, is still the main problem. Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of CD45 expression in the immunological classification of BCLPDs. Setting and design: A prospective study was set in a university hospital to investigate the CD45 intensity, particularly in B-CLL. Materials and Methods: The expression of CD45 in 37 patients with BCLPD including typical B-CLL (Group I), atypical B-CLL and CLL/PLL (II), and hairy cell leukemia (HCL), B-prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL), and B-non Hodgkin′s lymphoma (B-NHL) as non-CLL BCLPDs (III) and in eight healthy age matched controls (IV) was quantitatively compared by flow cytometric CD45/RALS gating strategy. Statistical analysis: The mean, median, and peak channel scores of CD45 obtained for the four groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance test. A P value < 0.05 was to be considered statistically significant. Results: Lower CD45 density is associated highly with typical CLL and differences between typical CLL and other groups were significant (P>0.001, 0.001, and 0.001). Non-CLL cases had significantly brighter CD45 expression than atypical CLL (P=0.014). No differences were found between normal lymphocytes and non-CLL BCLPD cases. Conclusions: CD45 is a useful marker, to discriminate the typical CLL from the non-CLL BCLPD and from atypical CLL

Comparison of bone mineral density in young patients with breast cancer and healthy women

BACKGROUND: Almost 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer during their lifetime. Several risk factors were identified; however, 70% of females with breast cancer have no risk factors. Many risk factors are associated with sex steroid hormones. Some studies have been focused on identification of the indices of cumulative exposures to estrogen during the patients’ life. One of these indicators is bone mineral density (BMD). Our aim was the comparison of BMD in young patients with and without breast cancer, and finding a relationship between breast cancer and bone density. METHODS: In this case-control study, 120 people were enrolled; 40 patients with breast cancer and 80 normal healthy persons as control group. Measurement of BMD was performed in both groups and compared. RESULTS: Both groups were matched in age, weight, age at menarche, age at first marriage and first pregnancy, number of pregnancies over 32 weeks and lactation period, and taking supplemental calcium and vitamin D. However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of estrogen intake, family history of breast cancer, and history of breast masses (P = 0.03, P = 0.03, P ≤ 0.01, respectively). A significant difference was found between BMD, bone mineral content (BMC), and t-scores of lumbar spine of the two groups; they were higher in the control group (P = 0.08, P ≤ 0.01, P = 0.06, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that bone mineral density of young patients with breast cancer is not higher than normal similar age females; thus, BMD is not directly a risk factor for breast cancer