SerumTrace Elements in Febrile Seizure: A Case-Control Study

 How to Cite This Article: Namakin K, Zardast M, Sharifzadeh Gh, Bidar T, Zargarian S. Serum Trace Elements in Febrile Seizure: A Case-Control Study. Iran J Child Neurol. Summer 2016; 10(3):57-60.  AbstractObjectiveFebrile seizure (FS) is one of the most common neurological problems during childhood.Pathogenesis of febrile convulsion is unknown. This study investigated some trace elements among children admitted with FS compared with thoseof febrile without seizure attacks.Materials & MethodsThis case-control study was conducted on48 children (6 months to 5 yr old) diagnosed with febrile seizure as the cases and 48 age-matched febrile children as the control group. Serum levels of magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, and serum zinc were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (version 15) using Student t-test.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the cases and controls in terms of gender or age. The means of serum level of zinc, sodium, calcium and magnesium in the case group was lower than those of the control group. There was no significant difference onserum potassium mean level between the case and control groups.ConclusionDeficiency of trace elements was correlated significantly with febrile convulsion, while further investigations on trace elements are required.ReferencesReferencesMartindale JL, Goldstein JN, Pallin DJ. Emergency department seizureepidemiology. Emerg Med Clin North Am 2011;29:15-27.Lee J-H, Hyun Kim J.Comparison of Serum Zinc Levels Measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in Preschool Children with Febrile and Afebrile Seizures. Ann Lab Med 2012;32:190-193 http://dx.doi.org/10.3343/alm.2012.32.3.190.Akbayram S, Cemek M, Büyükben A, Aymelek F, Karaman S, Yilmaz F, Dogan M,Caksen H. Major and minor bio-element status in children with febrile seizure. Bratisl Lek Listy 2012; 113 (7)421 – 423.Johnston MV. Seizures in children. In: Behrman RE, JensonHB, Stanton BF, editors. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.18thed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2008:2457-73.Salehiomran MR, Mahzari M. Zinc status in febrile seizure: a case-control study. Iran J Child Neurol 2013; 7(4):20-23.Nadkarni J, Binaykiya I, Sharma U, Dwivedi R. Role of serum sodium levels in prediction of seizure recurrence within the same febrile illness.Neurology Asia 2011; 16(3): 195–197.Ganesh R, Janakiraman L. Serum zinc levels in children with simple febrile seizure. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2008;47:164–166.Waqar Rabbani M, Ali I, Zahid Latif H, Basit A, Rabbani MA. Serum zinc level in children presenting with febrile seizures. Pak J Med Sci 2013;29(4):1008-11.Ehsanipour F, Talebi-Taher M, Harandi N, Kani K. Serumzinc level in children with febrile convulsion and itscomparison with that of control group. Iran J Pediatr2009;65-8.Amiri M, Farzin L, Moassesi ME, Sajadi F. Serum trace element levels in febrile convulsion. Biol Trace Elem Res 2010;135(1-3):38-44.Mohamed Aly IAR, Mohamed Kmal H, Soliman DR, Hassan Mohamed M. Iron profile parameters and serum zinc & copper levels in children with febrile convulsions in Banha. J Am Sci 2014;10(7): 1-4.Gattoo I, Harish R, Quyoom Hussain S. Correlation of serum zinc level with simple febrile seizures: a hospital based prospective case control study. Int J Pediatr 2015;3(2):16-.19.Sadeghzadeh M, Nabi S, Khoshnevisasl P, Mousavinasab N. The correlation between cerebrospinal fluid and levels of serum zinc and Ca in children with febrile seizure. J Comprehens Pediatr 2013; 3(5): 179-83.Osama N. Salah, Ehab R. Abdelraou, Marwa H. Abdelhameed Ahmed A, Dawood, Adel F,Kilany HA, Suzette I. Assessment of the Level of GABA and some trace elements in blood in children who suffer from familial febrile convulsions. Macedonian JMed Sci 2014; 7(1):68-73.Heydarian F, Ashrafzadeh F, Cam S. Simple febrile seizure: the role of serum sodium levels in prediction of seizure recurrence during thefirst 24 hours. Iran J Child Neurol2009; 3(2):31-4

The effect of crocin and losartan on TGF-β gene expression and histopathology of kidney tissue in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus that finally leads to complete loss of kidney function. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of crocin and losartan on TGF-β gene expression and histopathology of kidney tissue in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy.Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8): Untreated control, Diabetic (D), D + crocin, D + losartan, and D + losartan + crocin. Induction of diabetes was performed using streptozotocin (50 mg/kg/ Intraperitoneal injection). At the end of the eight-week period, the rats were sacrificed. Spectrophotometry measured serum glucose, urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels. Microalbumin and creatinine levels were measured in 24-hour urine. Real-time PCR was used to determine the relative expression of the TGF-β gene in kidney tissue. Renal tissue histopathology was also examined.Results: The results showed that hyperglycemia increased biochemical factors associated with diabetes, TGF-β gene expression, and kidney damage. Separate treatment with crocin and losartan led to a decrease in renal function factors and TGF-β gene expression and improved kidney damage.Conclusion: Our results showed that crocin could improve kidney function in diabetic conditions. In addition, we showed that crocin increases the effectiveness of losartan. Consequently, we suggest that crocin in combination with chemical drugs can be a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes and its complications. Nonetheless, human studies are needed to make firm findings

Effect of Vitamin D supplementation on Lipid Profile in Children Aged 10-14 Years Old

Introduction Considering the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our country and the importance of blood lipid profile as a protective factor, aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on lipid profile in children 10 to 14 years.Materials and Methods In this controlled clinical trial study, 40 children who were studying on 2014 in Birjand elementary schools were selected and randomly divided into two groups containing 20 participants. Children in both group examined for level of lipid profile and serum vitamin D after and before consumption of drugs (vitamin D supplement and placebo). Questionnaire was used in order to record demographic information. Data was analyzed using SPSS-16 statistical software and statistical tests of Chi-square, Fisher exact test, t-paired, independent-t, and Pearson correlation at significance level of P< 0.05.Results The results showed that in children of intervention group the average of High-density lipoprotein (HDL) serum level and vitamin D was significantly higher after intervention before it (

Prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism In South Khorasan province (2006-2010)

Background and Aim: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is among the most common endocrine disorders in children and a preventable cause of mental retardation. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence and related risk factors of hypothyroidism in neonates in South Khorasan.   Materials and Methods: This descriptive-retrospective study was conducted on the data collected through the Neonatal CH Screening Project in South Khorasan during four years (March 2006 - March 2010). Neonates whose TSH of the heel blood was ≥5 mU/L were recalled and if the serum TSH was ≥10 mU/L they were accounted as hypothyroid cases. Finally, SPSS software was used to analyze the obtained data.   Results: From 38987 neonates, 1248 cases (3.21%) were recalled and serum TSH of 71 neonates was ≥10 mU/L which was a symptom of hypothyroidism. In the initial screening of hypothyroidism in neonates TSH of the heel blood in 45% was found to be 5-10 mU/L, in 20% it was 10-19.9, and in 35% it was ≥ 20. Prevalence of the disease was 1 in 549 living births. Hypothyroidism in boys was 6% more than girls.98.6% of the sick neonates' mothers did not have hypothyroidism 50.7 % of the cases lived in city.   Conclusion: Regarding the significance of the disease in developing mental retardation, it is necessary to persuade parents to have their neonates take part in neonatal hypothyroidism screening plan

Compare the Relative Frequency of Thyroid Function Disorders in Obese and Overweight Children with Non-Obese Children; a Case-Control Study

BackgroundChildhood obesity has become a global epidemic. In the recent studies has reported risk of thyroid dysfunction due to obesity. Therefore, this study intends to compare the relative frequency of thyroid function disorders in obese and overweight children with non-obese children.Materials and MethodsThis case-control study during 2015 to 2016 in Birjand, Iran was done on 137 children and adolescents (6 to 18 years), with overweight and obesity as case group and 137 non-obese subjects as control group. Body mass index (BMI), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured, and analyzed using SPSS software version19.ResultsTSH level in obese children was significantly more (

Effects of Topical Emu Oil on Burn Wounds in the Skin of Balb/c Mice

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of topical Emu oil on the healing of burn wounds and hair follicle restoration in superficial II-degree burns in the skin of Balb/c mice. Thirty-two male Balb/c mice with burns on the back of the neck were divided into two groups: The Emu oil group received topical Emu oil twice daily, whereas the control was left untreated. Skin biopsies were obtained on days 4, 7, 10, and 14 of the experiment. Then the specimens were viewed with Olympus SZX research microscope. The Emu oil treated burns were found to heal more slowly and inflammation lasted longer in this group. The number of hair follicles in the margins of the wounds increased through time in the Emu oil group compared to the control group. Also, the hair follicles in the Emu oil group were in several layers and seemed to be more active and mature. Moreover, Emu oil had a positive effect on fibrogenesis and synthesis of collagen. The findings indicate that although Emu oil delays the healing process, it has a positive effect on wound healing and it increases the number of hair follicles in the margins of the wound

Assessment of antibacterial effect of garlic in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori using urease breath test

Objective: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common pathogenic bacteria in the stomach. The aim of the current study was to explore the effect of oral garlic administration on bacterial urease activity inside the stomach and its contribution to the treatment of H. pylori infection.   Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 15 patients were studied quantitatively with Urease Breath Test (UBT). The patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and a positive serum H. pylori IgG were enrolled. UBT was performed for each patient in three sessions as follows: at the beginning of the study, an initial UBT was performed based on which, the positive cases entered the study and the negative ones were excluded. Second UBT was done three days later in patients who were not receiving any treatment and were considered as the control, whereas the third UBT was performed three days after  prescribing two medium-sized cloves of garlic (3 g) with their meal, twice a day (at noon and in the evening).  The collected data were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests and the significance level was set at pResults: the mean UBT significantly differed before and after treatment with garlic cloves, being significantly lower after garlic consumption. No meaningful difference was observed in the mean UBT without garlic consumption between the first and second steps. Conclusion: Raw garlic has anti-bacterial effects against H. pylori residing in the stomach and may be prescribed along with routine drugs for the treatment of gastric H. pylori infection

The frequency of aerobic-bacterial and fungal infections of the external auditory canal and their sensitivity to routine antibiotics in Birjand

Background and Aim: Awareness of the pattern of aerobic and fungal bacterial agents and their sensitivity to common antibiotics is of great importance in the treatment of external ear canal infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of infections in Birjand residents as a tropical region of the desert in specialized clinics affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study in the Time period from 2016 to 2017 on 100 patients with otitis externa referred to specialist clinics affiliated with the Birjand University of Medical Sciences. The subjects were selected using simple non-probability sampling. Sampling was done by two swabs and examined in the reference laboratory for gram-negative, positive bacteria and fungi. Data were analyzed by Chi-Square and Fisher exact tests using SPSS software (version 16). Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled. The average age of participants 43.38±9.15 years and most of the participants were male (61%) and urban (70 %). The most common clinical symptoms are itching ears (48%), otalgia (21%) and erythema (19%) respectively. Out of 74 samples of bacteria/fungi with the positive culture, bacteria were reported in 89/1% and fungi with 10.9% which among them Gram-positive bacteria were most often (36 patients, 54.5 percent). The highest antibiotic resistance was reported for: cefixime (45.8%), cefazolin (30.2%), gentamicin (12%) and ciprofloxacin (12%) respectively. Conclusion: The etiology of acute otitis externa in the patients of Birjand is composed of many bacteria and fungi. Resistance to cefixime is more than ciprofloxacin however, the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin is acceptable

Effects of hydro.alcoholic extract of internal septum of walnut on diabetic nephropathy in rats

Background and Aim: Due to the rapid growth of global interest in use of herbal medicine, their efficacy and safety evaluation have become important. In recent studies, internal septum of walnut fruit suggested as a hypoglycemic agent. Therefore, the present work was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extract of internal septum of walnut fruit (ISWF) on some biochemical and pathological aspects related to renal function in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental research 32 acute Alloxan induced diabetic and 8 healthy rats divided into 5 equal group and treated orally once per day for 1 month as fallow diabetic groups I and II received 200 and 400 mg/kg of ISWF extracts, diabetic group III received 50 mg/kg metformin and diabetic group IV and healthy group received saline 0.9% as control groups. Finaly, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24h urine total protein (UTP), blood nitrogen urea (BUN) and plasma cratinine (Cr) were assessed biochemically and also quantitative and qualitative renal histopathological altrations for 1200 glomerulus were determined patologically. Results: In compare to diabetic control group, the ethanolic extract of ISWF in dose independence manner significantly reduced (p≤0.05) FBG, UTP, BUN and Cr, as well as glomerular space, tuft-to-capsule adhesion and mesangial matrix expansion in diabetic rats. Conclusion: The ethanolic extracts of ISWF have beneficial effects on renal function in diabetic rat

The effects of high-intensity interval training and saffron aqueous extract supplementation on alterations of body weight and apoptotic indices in skeletal muscle of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice with cachexia

Exercise training and antioxidant supplementation may improve unintentional weight loss and programmed cell death associated with cancer cachexia. The aim of this study was to examine the alterations of body weight and apoptotic indices in skeletal muscle of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice with cachexia following 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and saffron aqueous extract (SAE) supplementation. Female BALB/c mice following induction of breast cancer were divided into (i) controls, (ii) HIIT, (iii) SAE, (iv) HIIT+SAE, and (v) sham groups. Mice were euthanized and gastrocnemius muscle was collected after intervention. The control group elicited a significant weight reduction during third and fourth weeks of tumor injection, while other treatments such as HIIT and SAE, but not HIIT+SAE, showed that they counteracted this adverse event. Furthermore, HIIT and SAE treatments (not HIIT+SAE) demonstrated reduced caspase-3 and Bax levels compared with the control group. The level of Bcl-2 was elevated following both HIIT and SAE treatments compared with the control group. Finally, the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax was significantly higher in both HIIT and SAE groups, but was lower in HIIT+SAE group compared with sham group. It is likely that either HIIT or SAE intervention alone (not HIIT+SAE) represents a readily applicable approach in the regulation of muscle wasting and apoptosis in cancer cachexia. Novelty HIIT is associated with a reduced risk of cancer-related muscle wasting. SAE enhances the improvement of muscle loss and apoptotic indices. Combination of HIIT and SAE does not improve cancer-related loss of muscle mass and mediate apoptotic activation.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author