Is Additional Fluid Therapy Effective in the Treatment of Children with Urinary Tract Infection?

Introduction: Urinary tract infection can result in many complications such as abscess, hypertension, renal failure, renal scar, reflux, etc. Since there is no general agreement on the administration of additional fluid (1.5 times maintenance) for the early treatment of UTI, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of additional fluid therapy.Materials and Methods: In This clinical trial study, 206 children with UTI who were admitted at Amir Kabir Hospital (Arak, Iran) from March 2012 to March 2013 were divided into two groups of 103. One group received the usual amount of maintenance fluid while the other group received 1.5 times more than usual maintenance. The course of the resolution of dysuria, frequency, malodorous urine, abdominal pain, and fever was compared between the two groups. Urine culture was performed for all patients 2, 7-10, and 90 days after admission. The patients were age and sex matched. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the X2 method based on independent sample t-test.Results: Additional fluid had a significant effect on malodorous urine dysuria. However, it had an inverse effect on the treatment of fever and urinary frequency as it made them last longer. There was no difference in other parameters like abdominal pain and urine culture in 3 stages.Conclusions: Based on our study, the intake of excessive amounts of water has no significant effects on the results of the UTI treatment. However, due to lack of adequate evidence, further studies should be conducted in this field.Keywords: Urinary Tract Infection; Child; Fluid Therapy

Investigation of Chronic Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Effect on Gene Expression Profile of Human HUVECs Cells

Introduction: Understanding molecular mechanism of chronic low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) effects on human body is subject of many researches. Several aspects of cell function such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and tumorigenesis are affected by LDIR. Detection of the main biological process that is targeted by LIDR via network analysis is the main aim of this study.   Methods: GSE66720 including gene expression profiles of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) included irradiated and control cells is downloaded from gene expression omnibus (GEO). The significant differentially Expressed genes (DEGs) are determined and analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis to find the central individuals. The main cell function which was related to the central nodes was introduced. Results: Among 64 queried DEGs 48 genes were recognized by STRING database. Five hub nodes including; C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), Melanoma growth-stimulatory activity/growth-regulated protein α (CXCL1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were introduced as hub nodes. Conclusion: Findings indicates that inflammation is the main initial target of LDIR in cellular level which is associated with alteration in the other essential functions of the irradiated cells

Hypofractionated Radiation Versus Conventional Fractionated Radiation: A Network Analysis

Hypofractionated Versus Conventional Fractionated Radiation: A Network Analysis Introduction: Conventional fractionated (CF) and hypofractionated (HF) are two radiotherapy methods against cancer which are applied in medicine. Understanding efficacy and molecular mechanism of two methods implies more investigations. In the present study proteomic findings about the mentioned methods relative to the controls are analyzed via network analysis.  Methods: The significant differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of prostate cancer (PCa) cell line DU145 in response to CF and HF radiation therapy versus controls were extract from literature. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed via STRING database via cytoscape software. The Networks were analyzed by “NetworkAnalyzer” to determine hub DEPs. Results: Number of 126 and 63 significant DEPs were identified for treated DU145 with CF and HF radiation respectively. The PPI networks were constructed by the queried DEPs plus 100 first neighbors. ALB, CD44, THBS1, EPCAM, F2, KRT19, and MCAM were highlighted as common hubs. VTM, OCLN, HSPB1, FLNA, AHSG, and SERPINC1 were appeared as discriminator hub between the studied cells. Conclusion: The 70% of hubs were common between CF and HF conditions and induce radio-resistance activity in the survived cells. Six central proteins were introduced that discriminate function of the two group of irradiated cells. Based on these finding it seems that DU145-CF cells are more radio-resistant relative to the DU145-UF cells

Assessment of Blood Pressure in Primary Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis

Introduction: Enuresis is defined as the repeated voiding of urine into bed at least twice a week for at least 3 consecutive months in a child who is at least 5 years of age. Primary enuresis occurs in children who have never been consistently dry through the night.  Monosymptomatic enuresis has no associated daytime symptoms. Increased nocturnal urine production in primary nocturnal enuretic patients could possibly be associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate autonomic nervous system function in enuretic children.Materials and Methods: In this study, children with monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis (MPNE) and healthy children without MPNE were enrolled and their blood pressure was measured twice a day (in the morning and afternoon). Urinalysis, urine electrolyte levels, urinary culture, and urinary system ultrasound were performed in all the children. They were also requested to have a diary about daily fluid intake and the volume of daily urine.Results: The MPNE group comprised 100 children (M/F: 58/42) and the control group included 100 healthy children (M/F: 51/49). The mean age of the children was 8.1±2.3 and (8.9±2.53 years in MPNE and control groups, respectively. The mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during the nighttime and daytime did not differ between the groups (p-value>0.05); however, the mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in the nighttime in the MPNE group (p-value<0.05) but did not differ between the groups during the daytime (p-value>0.05).Conclusions: Nighttime SBP was significantly higher in children with MPNE. These subtle abnormalities of the circadian blood pressure regulation may reflect autonomic nervous system dysfunction and contribute to the pathogenesis of MPNE.Keywords: Child; Enuresis; Blood pressure; Autonomic dysfunctio

Dosimetric Investigation of Six Ru-106 Eye Plaques by EBT3 Radiochromic Films and Monte Carlo Simulation

Background: Ophthalmic brachytherapy using radioactive plaques is an effective technique for the treatment of uveal melanoma. Ru-106 eye plaques are considered as interesting issue due to their steep gradient dose. The pre-planning evaluation of dosimetric parameters is essential for the treatment planning system.Objective: The current study aims at providing dose distributions of six Ru-106 eye plaques (CCA, CCB, CGD, CIB, COB and COD) using radiochromic EBT3 film, Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit and the treatment planning software (Plaque Simulator).Material and Methods: In this experimental study, an in-house phantom was employed for depth dose measurements with EBT3 films. Also, Geant4.10.5 scoring mesh was implemented to obtain the 2D dose distribution of the plaques. The results were compared with Plaque Simulator software and the manufacturer’s (BEBIG) data. The gamma index criterion (3%/3 mm) was used to evaluate dose distributions obtained by the film measurements and Geant4 simulation.Results: A good agreement was achieved between simulation and experimental results. Gamma index passing rate was 94.2%, 89.3%, 88.2%, 82.2%, 92.2% and 90.1% for CCA, CCB, CGD, CIB, COB and COD plaques, respectively. Absolute dose rate (mGy/min) obtained by EBT3 film at the depth of 2 mm was 79.4 mGy/min, 81.0 mGy/min, 78.6 mGy/min, 62.2 mGy/min, 75.2 mGy/min and 81.2 mGy/min for CCA, CCB, CGD, CIB, COB and COD plaques, respectively.  Conclusion: The measured dose distributions and lateral dose profiles may be utilized in the treatment planning system to cover clinical volumes such as the clinical target volume and the gross tumor volume

P-glycoprotein A Gene Expression in Glucantime-Resistant and Sensitive Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER)

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by different species of Leishmania parasites with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Antimonial compounds such as meglumine antimoniate (glucantime) are the first line drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis. However, according to reports of the drug resistance of parasites, the efficacy of antimonial compounds is low. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins are present in all organisms and mediate the transport of vital elements through biological membranes. One of the important mechanisms of resistance in Leishmania parasites is the overexpression of ABC efflux pumps. P-glycoprotein A (pgpA) is a related gene for ABC transporter in Leishmania species. The aim of this study was to compare the pgpA expression in laboratory-induced resistant L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) and sensitive parasites. Methods: RNA extraction of promastigotes of sensitive and resistant clones was performed and total RNA was reverse transcribed. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess RNA expression profiles and the expression levels were calculated using 2-ΔCt method. Results: The mean expression level of pgpA mRNA was 2.70 ± 0.51 in in sensitive Leishmania clone and 6.08 ± 1.50 in resistant Leishmania clone (P = 0.021). Conclusion: The expression of pgpA gene in resistant strains of L. major was almost fivefold higher than those in susceptible strains. Therefore, this can be used in field isolates, i.e. overexpression of the gene can prove resistance in wild type field isolates

Superior X-ray Radiation Shielding Effectiveness of Biocompatible Polyaniline Reinforced with Hybrid Graphene Oxide-Iron Tungsten Nitride Flakes

X-ray radiation is a harmful carcinogenic electromagnetic source that can adversely affect the health of living species and deteriorate the DNA of cells, thus it’s vital to protect vulnerable sources from them. To address this flaw, the conductive polymeric structure of polyaniline (PANi) was reinforced with diverse filler loadings (i.e., 25 wt % and 50 wt %) of hybrid graphene oxide-iron tungsten nitride (ITN) flakes toward attenuation of X-ray beams and inhabitation of microorganisms’ growth. Primary characterizations confirmed the successful decoration of graphene oxide (GO) with interconnected and highly dense structure of iron tungsten nitride with a density of about 24.21 g·cm−³ and reinforcement of PANi with GO-ITN. Additionally, the outcome of evaluations showed the superior performance of developed shields, where a shield with 1.2 mm thickness containing 50 wt % GO-ITN showed 131.73% increase in the electrical conductivity (compared with neat PANi) along with 78.07%, 57.12%, and 44.99% decrease in the amplitude of the total irradiated X-ray waves at 30, 40, and 60 kVp tube voltages, respectively, compared with control X-ray dosage. More importantly, the developed shields not only showed non-toxic nature and improved the viability of cells, but also completely removed the selected microorganisms at a concentration of 1000 µg·mL−¹.Applied Science, Faculty ofNon UBCEngineering, School of (Okanagan)ReviewedFacult

Identification of Leishmania isolates from Varzaneh city, Isfahan province, Iran using nested polymerase chain reaction method

Background: Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease, is caused by the Leishmania genus, a protozoan parasite transmitted by sand fly arthropods. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in old world is usually caused by L. major, L. tropica, and L. aethiopica complexes. One of the most important hyper endemic areas of CL in Iran is Isfahan province. Varzaneh is a city in the eastern part of Isfahan province. Due to different biological patterns of parasite strains which are distributed in the region, this study was design to identify Leishmania species from human victims using Kinetoplastid DNA as templates in a molecular PCR method. Materials and Methods: Among 186 suspected cases, 50 cases were confirmed positive by direct microscopy after Giemsa staining. Species characterization of the isolates was done using Nested- PCR as a very effective and sensitive tool to reproduce mini circle strands. Results: After Nested-PCR from all 50 cases, 560 bp bands were produced which according to products of reference strains indicate that the infection etiologic agent has been L. major. 22 (44%) of patients were females and 28 (56%) of them were males. Their age ranges were between 7 months and 60 years. Conclusion: According to the results of the study and the particular pattern of infection prevalent in the region, genetic studies and identification of Leishmania parasites are very important in the disease control and improvement of regional strategy of therapy protocols

Coupling analysis of high Q resonators in add-drop configuration through cavity ringdown spectroscopy

International audienceAn original method able to fully characterize high-Q resonators in an add-drop configuration has been implemented. The method is based on the study of two cavity ringdown (CRD) signals, which are produced at the transmission and drop ports by wavelength sweeping a resonance in a time interval comparable with the photon cavity lifetime. All the resonator parameters can be assessed with a single set of simultaneous measurements. We first developed a model describing the two CRD output signals and a fitting program able to deduce the key parameters from the measured profiles. We successfully validated the model with an experiment based on a fiber ring resonator of known characteristics. Finally, we characterized a high-Q, home-made, MgF2 whispering gallery mode disk resonator in the add-drop configuration, assessing its intrinsic and coupling parameters