Evaluating the Association Between Insulin–Like Growth Factor-1 Values and Short-Term Survival Rates Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Backgrounds In recent years, low levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) have been suggested to be associated with higher risks of developing heart failure and higher long-term mortality rates following Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). However, the effect of IGF-1 levels on short-term survival has been rarely studied. In this study we aimed to assess any possible association between serum IGF-1 concentration following AMI and short-term survival rates. Methods In this study, serum total IGF-1 levels were measured in 56 patients within 24 hours following AMI and were compared to 56 individuals with no cardiovascular disease. Patients were followed up to death or discharge from hospital (median = 6 days) and survival curves were compared based on median IGF-1 value. Results Mean (±SD) of serum IGF-1 levels were 232.73 ng/ml (±81.74) and 211.00 ng/ml (±58.22) in survived and expired patients respectively and the difference was not statistically significant ( P value = 0.501). The difference between survival curves was also not statistically significant ( P value = 0.246). Conclusion According to findings of this study, serum total IGF-1 concentration does not seem to be associated with short-term survival rates

Diffuse Myelitis after Treatment of Cerebral Aspergillosis in an Immune Competent Patient

Presentation of an unusual case of cerebral aspergillosis in an immune competent patient who was treated successfully but symptoms and signs of a demyelinating process following initial recovery has been occurred. A 29-year-old male with focal seizure. Brain MRI revealed small multiple hemispheric and dural lesions. An open biopsy was conducted. Histological evaluation revealed hyphe-like structure in the necrotic area, within vessel walls, and lumina, suggestive aspergillus fumigatus . Furthermore, brancheal hyphae in potassium hydrxide15% and colonies on sabourud dextrose agar were observed. Based of the above findings the patient underwent anti fungal therapy. The patient recovered and continued a normal life however a follow up MRI was performed after 3 months from recovery. No significant abnormality was observed from the MRI procedure. One month later the patient developed signs and symptoms of spinal cord involvement which seemed to be the result of myelitis. A brain MR showed no abnormalities .Therefore it seemed reasonable to administer corticosteroid as a treatment for suspected active demyelinating process. During the above treatment, signs and symptoms of myelopathy disappeared and a whole spine MRI showed remarkable improvement

Evaluation of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt malfunction Regarding Ventricular Catheter Placement

Backgroundline of treatment for management of hydrocephalus despite available new techniques andsystems of shunting.Associated complications should be recognized and managed properly,but the most recognized complications are shunt obstruction which its prevalencethrough surgical approach is discussed here. Two approaches (frontal and parietal) are usedto insert ventriculoperitoneal shunt. In this study we retrospectively examined patterns ofshunt failure in patients with symptoms of shunt malfunction. Factors analyzed includedsite of failure, time from shunt placement or last revision of failure,age of patient at time offailure,infection and primary etiology of hydrocephalus.Two approaches were comparedto determine which one is more associated with shunt failure.: Shunting procedures specifically ventriculoperitoneal shunts are the mainMethodsretrospectively examined, in 126 cases who were shunted through frontal approach,48 casesand in 124 patients whose shunts were inserted through parietal approach 64 cases ofmalfunction observed.All data was analyzed with SPSS software and with T-test,and thenthe failure rate for frontal versus parietal approach was compared.:250 patients with symptoms of shunt malfunction over 4 years period wereResultsof underlying cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt failure was observed, with theless failure rates through frontal approach.:Significant difference in malfunction rate between these two approaches regardlessConclusionshunt failure and frontal approach demonstrated less failure rate, but as it isknown placing the catheter tip away from the choroids plexus is the most important factoravoiding obstruction.: Although proximal obstruction is the most common cause of ventriculoperitonea

Comparison of Long terms Follow up Results in Patients with Cervical Disk DiseaseTreated With Anterior PEEK CageImplantation and Without it in Rasoul Akram Hospital

Abstract Background: Anterior interbody fusion of the cervical spine have become the gold standard for treating spinal diseases, hence the aim of this study was to compare long term follow up results in patients with cervical disk disease treated with anterior PEEK cage implantation and without it in anterior approach. Methods: Retrospectively 63 patients with known cervical discogenic disorders who went under surgery with and without cage implantation were enrolled. The neurological examination and neurologic function were assessed by using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system and neurological cervical spine scale (NCSS) before and 8 years after surgery in each patient and at the end all complications were recorded. Results: In the first group, there were 15 males and 14 females (mean age: 49±10 years) and in the second group there were 27 male and 7 female (mean age: 47±9 years). The NCSS score was significantly different between two groups after surgery (p=0.035) but there was no significant difference before surgery (p=0.163). No statistical significance difference was also observed in JOA score and complications before and after procedure, but JOA post surgery score between two groups had significant difference (p=0.047) . Conclusion: In conclusion, present study showed that PEEK cage implantation is a highly useful alternative to the conventional treatment methods

A Comparison of Betadine, Sterillium and Silver Nanocolloid Immediate Effect on Surgical Hand Antiseptic

Background and Aim: To reduce surgical site infections and its complications, hand antiseptic is performed on the basis of product type either by rubbing or washing method. Silver Nanocolloid is a wide range disinfectant entered in world and also Iran markets as a surgical hand antiseptic, but any study about this subject hasn’t yet conducted. The aim of this study is comparing of Betadine, Sterillium and Silver Nanocolloid immediate effect on surgical hand antiseptic. Materials and Methods: This study design was randomized cross-over trial. Betadine, Sterillium, and Silver Nanocolloid with specific volume, duration (according to manufacturers’ instructions), and intervals (at least 24 hours) is conducted on 30 volunteer's hands. They occupy in operating room of hospital. Immediately after hands antisepsis, the samples were taken from the subject’s hands, transported to the blood agar plate, and plates were taken to the laboratory. In laboratory was incubated in 36 ± 1 degrees centigrade for 24 hours. For any growth medium, positive or negative of colony forming is surveyed and statistical analyses were conducted by SPSS software. Results: There’s not a statistically significant difference between negative cultures of Betadine and Sterillium, but negative culture of Betadine 20 (66.7%) and Sterillium 18 (60%), each of them separately, is significantly greater than Silver Nanocolloid 30 (10%) (P < 0.0001). 1 and 4 subjects experience much allergic reaction on their hands, respectively by using Sterillium and Silver Nanocolloid.Conclusions: The immediate antiseptic effects of Betadine and Sterillium are the same that conform to other studies and more than Silver Nanocolloid