Effect of short time captopril administration on spatial memory in aging rats

Introduction: The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported having a pathological role in age-related impairment in learning and memory. Therefore, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) are expected to have positive ef fects on memory. Longtime treatment with captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) significantly attenuates the age-related impairment in learning and memory. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 24 month old male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n=8). Captopril treated groups received daily ip injections of captopril at doses of 5, 10, 15 mg/kg/day for one week, the forth group served as control and remained untreated. Learning process was assessed by the reference memory task in the Morris water maze. All rats received water maze training (4 trials/day for 5 days) to assess hippocampal dependent spatial learning and then received a 60-s probe test of spatial memory retention 24 h after the 20th trial. Results: Over 5 days of training, captopril 5, 10, 15 mg/kg/day treatment signi ficantly reduced the latency and path length to finding the escape platform. In probe trails (without platform), on the last day of training, the captopril -treated group spent significantly longer time in the platform quadrant than control animals. Among treated group, 10 /mg/Kg dosage of captopril induced the best rehearsals memory. Conclusion: These results confirm the previous studies that ACEi have a positive influence on memory and it was noticeable that even short time treatment by captopril can improve spatial memory in the aged rats. © 2015, Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology. All rights reserved

Interaction between random heterogeneously charged surfaces in an electrolyte solution

We study, using Monte Carlo simulations, the interaction between infinite heterogeneously charged surfaces inside an electrolyte solution. The surfaces are overall neutral with quenched charged domains. An average over the quenched disorder is performed to obtain the net force. We find that the interaction between the surfaces is repulsive at short distances and is attractive for larger separations

Comparison between prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for the urgent reversal of warfarin in patients with mechanical heart valves in a tertiary care cardiac center

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) reverse oral anticoagulants such as Warfarin. We compared the standard dosage of FFP and PCC in terms of efficacy and safety for patients with mechanical heart valves undergoing interventional procedures while receiving Warfarin. Fifty patients were randomized (25 for each group) with mechanical heart valves international normalized ratio (INR) >2.5. FFP dosage was administered based on body weight (10-15 mL/Kg), while PCC dosage was administered based on both body weight and target INR. INR measurements were obtained at different time after PCC and FFP infusion. The mean ± SD of INR pre treatment was not significantly different between the PCC and FFP groups. However, over a 48-hour period following the administration of PCC and FFP, 76% of the patients in the PCC group and only 20% of the patients in the FFP group reached the INR target. Five (20%) patients in the PCC group received an additional dose of PCC, whereas 17 (68%) patients in the FFP group received a further dose of FFP (P=0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in Hb and Hct before and during a 48-hour period after PCC and FFP infusion. As regards safety monitoring and adverse drug reaction screening in the FFP group, the INR was high (INR > 2.5) in 86% of the patients. There was no report of hemorrhage in both groups. PCC reverses anticoagulation both effectively and safely while having the advantage of obviating the need to extra doses. © 2015 by School of Pharmacy Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

Correlation of shape and size of sella turcica with the type of facial skeletal class in an Iranian group

Background: In orthodontic science, diagnosis of facial skeletal type (class I, II, and III) is essential to make the correct treatment plan that is usually expensive and complicated. Sometimes results from analysis of lateral cephalometry radiographies are not enough to discriminate facial skeletal types. In this situation, knowledge about the relationship between the shape and size of the sella turcica and the type of facial skeletal class can help to make a more definitive decision for treatment plan. Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate this relationship in patients referred to a dental school in Iran. Patients and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, cephalometric radiographies of 90 candidates for orthodontic treatment (44 females and 46 males) with an age range of 14 - 26 years and equal distribution in terms of class I, class II, and class III facial skeletal classification were selected. The shape, length, diameter, and depth of the sella turcica were determined on the radiographs. Linear dimensions were assessed by one-way analysis of variance while the correlation between the dimensions and age was investigated using Pearson�s correlation coefficient. Results: Sella turcica had normal morphology in 24.4 of the patients while irregularity (notching) in the posterior part of the dorsum sella was observed in 15.6, double contour of sellar floor in 5.6, sella turcica bridge in 23.3, oblique anterior wall in 20 and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sella in 11.1 of the subjects. In total, 46.7 of class I patients had a normal shape of sella turcica, 23.3 of class II patients had an oblique anterior wall and a pyramidal shape of the dorsum sella, and 43.3 of class III individuals had sella turcica bridge (the greatest values). Sella turcica length was significantly greater in class III patients compared to class II and class I (P < 0.0001). However, depth and diameter of sella turcica were similar in class I, class II, and class III patients. Furthermore, age was significantly correlated to the diameter of sella turcica as greater diameters were observed in older ages (P < 0.04). Conclusion: A significant relationship exists between the type of facial skeletal classification and the shape of the sella turcica; as in class III patients, sella turcica bridge was reported with a higher frequency. Also, sella turcica had a significantly higher length in these patients than in those with class I and class II facial skeletal types. © 2015, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Iranian Society of Radiology

Conventional bitewing radiography

Accurate detection and diagnosis of carious lesions is the prerequisite for application of the most effective caries management approach. However, the accuracy of proximal caries detection using visual-tactile assessment is limited. Additional diagnostic measures should therefore be performed to increase the validity of the diagnosis. Amongst various caries detection aids available, bitewing radiographs remain the gold standard for detection of proximal caries lesions. Here we describe a method for caries diagnosis using standardized bitewing holders. With this method the bitewing holders can be placed more precisely and reproducibly in the oral cavity. This approach increases accuracy of bitewing radiographs, which, due to the reproducible placement of the x-ray film, allows for monitoring of carious lesions long term

Determination of normal ranges of regional and global phase parameters using gated myocardial perfusion imaging with Cedars-Sinai's QGS software

Introduction: Myocardial perfusion imaging using gated SPECT and phase analysis is an effective tool in evaluation of mechanical dyssynchrony. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal ranges of global and regional phase parameters. Methods: A total of 100 patients with normal resting and stress electrocardiograms, low pretest likelihood for coronary artery disease and a normal gated MPI study were recruited in the study. All of the patients underwent a standard 2-day stress/rest gated MPI study according to standard protocols. The reconstructed images were further analyzed by Cedar-Sinai's quantitative gated SPECT. Left ventricular phase indices were provided both globally and regionally for both genders and the normal interquartile range of these parameters were defined. Results: Normal ranges of global and wall-based regional phase parameters are presented both in unisex and in gender-specific formats. Both global (P<0.001) and major LV regional phase parameters (P<0.05) are found to be significantly different between the two genders with a significant positive association between end-diastolic volume with phase global indices (P<0.01). There is also more synchronized phase distribution in phase analysis results of post-exercise gated MPI as compared to the phase analysis of the same patients at resting state. Conclusion: Normal ranges of phase indices are defined in this article by using Cedar-Sinai's QGS software. As normal ranges of phase dyssynchrony parameters are gender-specific and are related to LV volume, stress or resting state and stress type, the need for careful incorporation of these data is indicated in interpretation of phase studies. © 2018 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Comparison of the cardiovascular presentations, complications and outcomes following different coronaviruses' infection: A systematic review

Manifestations caused by coronavirus family have presented it in many ways during the previous years. The aim of this systematic review was to gather all possible cardiovascular manifestations of the coronavirus family in the literature. Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane and ProQuest which were updated on May 1, 2020 for the last time. Regarding to the novelty and speed of publications on COVID-19, we searched Google Scholar and also references of included studies and review articles in the systematic search results were searched manually. The searched keywords were the combination of the following MeSH terms: "COVID-19", "SARS", "MERS"and "cardiovascular presentation". The systematic review was registered with ID CRD42020180736 in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). After screening, 28 original articles and ten case studies (five case reports and five case series) were included. Most of the studies were focused on COVID-19 (20 original articles and five case studies) while the only studies about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was a case report. Almost all the cardiovascular presentations and complications including acute cardiac injury, arrhythmias and the thrombotic complications were more prevalent in COVID-19 than severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and MERS. The cardiac injury was the most common cardiovascular presentation and complication in COVID-19 whereas thrombotic complications were commonly reported in SARS. The cardiac injury was the predictor of disease severity and mortality in both COVID-19 and SARS. Coronavirus 2019 may present with cardiovascular manifestations and complications in signs and symptoms, laboratory data and other paraclinical findings. Also, cardiovascular complications in the course of COVID-19 may result in worse outcomes. © 2021 The Author(s)

Survival features, prognostic factors, and determinants of diagnosis and treatment among Iranian patients with pancreatic cancer, a prospective study

Objectives Investigating the survival features, and determinants of treatment and stage at presentation in Iran Methods 461 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC) were prospectively enrolled from Shariati hospital, Tehran, Iran, between 2011�2018. All patients underwent endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography scanning, and physical examination. Validated questionnaire was completed for the participants and all were actively followed on monthly basis. Results Median survival time was 6.5 months, and 1-, and 5-year survival rates were 26.2, and 1.5. Patients who were older (p<0.001), illiterate (p = 0.004), unmarried (p = 0.003), rural inhabitant (p = 0.013), opium user (p = 0.039), and had lower body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.002) had lower overall survival. Tumors located in the head of pancreas were more commonly diagnosed at lower stages (p<0.001). Only 10.4 of patients underwent surgery who were more commonly educated (p<0.001), married (p = 0.005), had a tumor located in the head of pancreas (p = 0.016), and were diagnosed at lower stages (p<0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders and risk factors, rural inhabitance (HR: 1.33 (95 CI: 1.01�1.74)), having more symptoms (HR for each increasing symptom: 1.06 (1.02�1.11)), using opium (HR: 1.51 (1.04�2.20)), having a tumor located in the body of pancreas (HR: 1.33 (1.02�1.75)), and having an advanced tumor stage (HR: 2.07 (1.34�3.19)) remained significantly associated with increased risk of mortality. After the adjusting for potential confounders, we did not find significant relationships between smoking, alcohol intake, and BMI with the risk of death among patients with pancreatic cancer. Conclusions Iranian patients with PC have very poor long-term survival. Besides tumor�s stage and location, socioeconomic disparities could affect the probabilities of receiving treatment and/or survival in these patients. Opium use is an independent risk factor for mortality among PC patients in Iran. © 2020 Sheikh et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Echocardiographic evaluation of mitral geometry in functional mitral regurgitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>We sought to evaluate the geometric changes of the mitral leaflets, local and global LV remodeling in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and varying degrees of Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs as a consequence of systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction caused by ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Mitral valve repair in ischemic MR is one of the most controversial topic in surgery and proper repairing requires an understanding of its mechanisms, as the exact mechanism of FMR are not well defined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>136 consecutive patients mean age of 55 with systolic LV dysfunction and FMR underwent complete echocardiography and after assessing MR severity, LV volumes, Ejection Fraction, LV sphericity index, C-Septal distance, Mitral valve annulus, Interpapillary distance, Tenting distance and Tenting area were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was significant association between MR severity and echocardiogarphic indices (all p values < 0.001). Severe MR occurred more frequently in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients compared to ischemic patients, (p < 0.001). Based on the model, only Mitral valve tenting distance (TnD) (OR = 22.11, CI 95%: 14.18 – 36.86, p < 0.001) and Interpapillary muscle distance (IPMD), (OR = 6.53, CI 95%: 2.10 – 10.23, p = 0.001) had significant associations with MR severity.</p> <p>Mitral annular dimensions and area, C-septal distance and sphericity index, although greater in patients with severe regurgitation, did not significantly contribute to FMR severity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Degree of LV enlargement and dysfunction were not primary determinants of FMR severity, therefore local LV remodeling and mitral valve apparatus deformation are the strongest predictors of functional MR severity.</p