Evaluation of alveolar basement membrane function in the diabetes mellitus patients

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: افزایش ضخامت غشاء پایه آلوئولی در مبتلایان دیابت تیپ یک و دو همراه با درگیری عروق کوچک ریه در آتوپسی‌ها گزارش شده است. برای ارزیابی فونکسیون غشاء پایه آلوئولی از اندازه گیری ظرفیت انتقال گاز منواکسید کربن در ریه استفاده می‌شود. هدف این مطالعه بررسی ظرفیت انتشار منواکسید کربن ریه در بیماران مبتلا به دیابت می باشد. روش بررسی: در یک مطالعه توصیفی - تحلیلی ظرفیت انتشار منواکسید کربن ریه در 70 (55 زن و 15 مرد) بیمار مبتلا به دیابت بدون سابقه بیماری قلبی، ریوی، کلیوی، کم خونی و بدون شکایت از علایم تنفسی اندازه گیری شد. 55 زن و 15 مرد سالم با خصوصیات مشابه بیماران برای گروه کنترل انتخاب شدند. در گروه بیماران و کنترل که اسپیرومتری طبیعی داشتند. ظرفیت انتشار منواکسید کربن ریه بصورت متد یکبار تنفس انجام شد. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون آماری t-student تجزیه و تحلیل شد. یافته ها: میزان متوسط ظرفیت انتشار منواکسید کربن ریه در بیماران مبتلا به دیابت بدون علایم تنفسی و گروه کنترل به ترتیب 4/2±65/9 و 79/1±10/9 میلی مول بر دقیقه بر کیلو پاسکال بود (05/0P>). همچنین میزان ظرفیت اصلاح شده حجمی تبادل منواکسید کربن در ریه نسبت به گروه کنترل تفاوت معنی‌دار نداشت. نتیجه گیری: این مطالعه نشان دهنده عدم کاهش ظرفیت انتشار منواکسید کربن در ریه در بیماران دیابتی بدون علایم تنفسی است که نشان دهنده سلامت بستر آلوئول و کاپیلرهای ریه ای می باشد. با استناد به این مطالعه به نظر می رسد انسولین استنشاقی در بیماران دیابتی بدون عوارض عروقی بخوبی جذب شود

Time-dependent Seismic Performance Assessment of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Frames

In this study, effects of reinforcement corrosion such as reinforcement cross section reduction, steel yield strength and concrete compressive strength reduction on RC member capacity decrease are studied. Next, a two-dimensional reinforced concrete moment resistant frame is modeled to evaluate the effects of moderate and severe intensity corrosion on moment-curvature behavior of elements and structure seismic response under nonlinear analysis. Structure capacity curves in push-over analysis and failure curves resulted from IDA for both the structure without and with corrosion are obtained and the effects of reinforcement’s corrosion on the reinforced concrete frame seismic performance are determined through comparing the results. The results revealed that in terms of amount, place and type of corrosion in the reinforced concrete frame, value of the reduction resisting moment of elements is different. Furthermore, the outcomes of nonlinear analyses showed that the capacity of structure is reduced and its seismic performance level is changed as a result of corrosion

Hemiballismus, Hyperphagia, and Behavioral Changes following Subthalamic Infarct

The function of subthalamic nucleus (STN) which is a part of the basal ganglia system is not clear, but it is hypothesized that this component might be involved in action selection. Unilateral damage to STN, which can commonly occur due to the small vessel stroke mainly, causes hemiballismus and sometimes hemichorea-hemiballismus. This paper deals with a 60-year-old patient with sudden onset of abnormal movements in his right limbs. He had increased appetite and hyperphagia and also developed mood and behavioral changes (aggressiveness, irritability, anxiety, and sometimes obscene speech). The magnetic resonance imaging revealed infarct area in left subthalamus. In our case, hemiballismus is caused by infarction in left subthalamic area. Occurrence of irritability, anxiety, and some behavioral changes such as aggressiveness and obscene speech can be explained by impairment of STN role in nonmotor behavior and cognitive function as a result of infarct

Effects of low dose methotrexate on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in comparison to Interferon β-1α: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Methotrexate, a toxic antimetabolite that limits cellular reproduction by acting as an antagonist to folic acid, has been used to control autoimmune disease with different results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low dose Methotrexate in the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: Eighty patients with definite RRMS aged 15 to 55 years were randomly allocated to receive a 12-month treatment course of either oral Methotrexate (7.5 mg/week) or intramuscular Interferon β-1α (30 μg/week). Response to treatment was assessed at 12 months after start of therapy. Results: The results of the study demonstrated significant reduction in relapse rate in both groups (p < 0.01). In 40 patients treated by Methotrexate, the mean value (SD) of relapse rate decreased from 1.75 (0.74) to 0.97 (0.83) (p < 0.01). Correspondingly, the mean value (SD) of relapse rate in patients treated by Interferon β-1α decreased from 1.52 (0.59) to 0.57 (0.78) (p < 0.01). Decrease of relapse rate in Interferon β-1α group was more than that in the other group (p = 0.06). Conclusions: This study suggests that although treatment with Methotrexate may significantly reduce relapse rate and slow progression of disease in patients with RRMS, its efficacy is less than Interferon β-1α and it may be better used as add-on therapy