Correlation Between Body Fat Distribution, Plasma Lipids and Apolipoproteins with the Severity of Coronary Involvement in Patients with Stable Angina

<p class="abstract"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Previous studies reported that the distribution of body fat is an important risk factor for coronary artery diseases (CAD) and abdominal adipose tissue is associated with severe CAD. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between body fat distributions, plasma lipids and the severity of CAD in patients with stable angina.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS:</strong><strong> </strong>Ninety seven patients who underwent coronary angiography for stable angina were allocated into two groups: patients with mild or sever coronary artery involvement. Lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL) and triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein A and B, were measured for all of the participants and a demographic data questionnaire was filled by the subjects. Participants underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT-Scan) for measurement of adipose tissues that was classified to visceral and superficial and deep subcutaneous fat tissue compartment.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS:</strong> Patients with severe coronary artery involvement had higher level of apo B <br /> (P = 0.02). Significant correlation was seen between visceral fat index and TG (P = 0.01), HDL-C (P &lt; 0.01) in patients with mild coronary involvement and with total cholesterol (P = 0.02), LDL-C (P = 0.01) and apoB (P &lt; 0.01) in patients with severe coronary involvement .No significant relationship was seen among deep cutaneous fat index and lipid profile in both groups.<strong></strong></p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Our findings showed that visceral adipose tissue is significantly associated with severe CAD and has a significant correlation with lipid profile as well as Apo B.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Keywords:</strong> Visceral Abdominal Adipose Tissue, Superficial Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue, Deep Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue, Coronary Involvement, Lipid Profile.</p

Diagnostic performance of 64-row coronary CT angiography in detecting significant stenosis as compared with conventional invasive coronary angiography

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of 64-multidetector-row computed tomography angiography (CTA) in comparison to conventional invasive angiography (CIA) in the diagnosis of significant stenosis (≥ 50) of coronary artery tree. METHODS: Assessment of CTA in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) was performed in patients referred because of symptoms or stress studies suggestive of ischemia. For this purpose, among more than 1000 cases of coronary CTA in a 20 months period a study population of 54 patients suspected to have significant stenosis of the coronary artery tree was investigated. The CIA procedure was performed in these patients one month after CTA. The accuracy of CTA in detecting significant stenosis was compared to CIA. RESULTS: For vessel based analysis of 179 coronary vessels, CTA had a sensitivity of 96, specificity of 87.5, positive predictive value of 90.5, and negative predictive value of 94.6. For patient-base analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of CTA were 97.9, 28.6, 66.6, and 90.2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal that CT angiography with 64-slice scanner could be considered as a suitable technique for rapid triage of patients presenting to hospitals with chest pain. High values of sensitivity and PPV reveal the good performance of CTA in detecting CAD

Sonographic assessment of congenitally hypothyroid children in Iran

Introduction: Considering the high prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Isfahan, it seems that it is necessary to investigate the aetiology of the disorder and its related factors. The aim of this study was to determine the aetiology of CH among children in Isfahan province. Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, the aetiology of CH and the volume of the thyroid was assessed using neck ultrasonography. The results of thyroid function screening tests were additionally recorded. The correlation between ultrasonographic findings and the level of TSH and as well as T4 was determined. Results: During this study 385 CH patients aged 0-3 years were studied. According to ultrasonographic findings, in 19.9% of patients the aetiology of CH was dysgenesis (agenesis, ectopy, and hemiagenesis) and 80.1% had normal thyroid. Mean thyroid gland volume in all studied patients was 0.78 &#177; 0.44 mL. The prevalence of ultrasonographic findings was as follows: normal 80.1%, agenesis 12.7%, hemiagenesis 5.8%, and ectopy 1.4%. There was a significant correlation between thyroid volume and TSH and T4 and as well as between TSH and ultrasonographic findings (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In spite of the limitations of ultrasonography in the field of determining the aetiology of CH, it is an appropriate imaging tool for determining the volume of the thyroid gland in children. Considering that the rate of goitrous gland was low, it seems that iodine deficiency could not be responsible for the high rate of CH in this region. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (6): 665-670)Wstęp: Z uwagi na częste występowanie w Isfahanie wrodzonej niedoczynności tarczycy (CH, congenital hypothyroidism) należy wyjaśnić przyczyny powstania tego zaburzenia i sprzyjające jego rozwojowi czynniki. Celem badania było ustalenie etiologii CH u dzieci zamieszkałych w prowincji Isfahan. Materiał i metody: W tym przekrojowym badaniu przeprowadzono badanie ultrasonograficzne szyi w celu oceny wielkości tarczycy i ustalenia etiologii niedoczynności tego narządu. W ramach programu badań przesiewowych wykonano testy oceniające czynność tarczycy. Zbadano korelacje między wynikami badań ultrasonograficznych a stężeniami TSH i T4. Wyniki: Do badania włączono 385 dzieci z CH w wieku 0-3 lat. Badania obrazowe wykazały, że u 19,9% chorych przyczyną CH były zaburzenia rozwoju tarczycy (agenezja, ektopia i hemiagenezja). Średnia objętość gruczołu tarczowego w badanej grupie wynosiła 0,78 &#177; 0,44 ml. Uzyskano następujące wyniki badań ultrasonograficznych: obraz prawidłowy u 80,1% dzieci, agenezja - 12,7%, hemiagenezja - 5,8%, ektopia - 1,4%. Stwierdzono istotną korelację między wielkością tarczycy a stężeniem TSH i T4 oraz między stężeniem TSH a wynikami badań ultrasonograficznych (p < 0,05). Wnioski: Mimo ograniczeń ultrasonografii, jako metody określania etiologii CH, ten rodzaj badań obrazowych jest przydatny do oceny wielkości tarczycy u dzieci. Biorąc pod uwagę rzadkie występowanie wola u dzieci z CH, można przypuszczać, że niedobór jodu nie jest przyczyną wysokiej zachorowalności na tę chorobę w prowincji Isfahan. (Endokrynol Pol 2010; 61 (6): 665-670

Agricultural Water Use Management of Sistan Region under Virtual Water Approach Using WEAP Model

Agriculture is the largest user of freshwater in the world. One of the practical solutions for managing agricultural water resources in arid and semi-arid regions is to calculate the amount of water consumption in the process of agricultural crops through the virtual water index. The aim of this study was to use virtual water to manage water consumption in the agricultural sector of the Hirmand catchment. The need for irrigation of agricultural crops in the catchment was obtained using CROPWAT software. Then, the current and future status of water supply and demand was investigated using the WEAP model for agricultural crops in the catchment in the current cultivation pattern of the region. After calculating the virtual water content of the crops, the cultivation pattern was presented based on it and with emphasis on the need for irrigation. The water demand for crops in the virtual water scenario of the cultivation pattern was investigated using the WEAP model. The results showed that the need for irrigation of crops in the Hirmand catchment was 7847 m3/ha and the virtual water content of crops was 2.353 m3/kg. The agricultural sector consumes 70.10% of the total water supply in the Hirmand catchment. In the current situation, the total annual demand of water for crops is 1011×106 m3, of which 67.13% is supplied and 32.87% is not supplied. If the current situation continues for the next 15 years, the agricultural sector will face water shortages of 6099×106 m3. By applying the virtual water scenario, the demand for agricultural water could be decreased by 180×106 m3/yr. Finally, it was found that if the priority of water allocation between the agricultural sector and the drinking sector be the same, the drinking sector will face an annual water shortage of 18×106 m3

Solitary giant neurofibroma of thigh

Neurofibromas are rare, benign, nerve sheath tumors in the peripheral nervous system. The solitary type is found in those who do not have neurofibromatosis. Solitary neurofibromas are too rare in the giant type. We report a rare case of a solitary giant neurofibroma of the anterior right thigh. The diagnostic criteria, characteristics of imaging studies, and operative approach are represented

A case report of cemento-ossifying fibroma presenting as a mass of the ethmoid sinus

Cemento-ossifying fibroma is a lesion containing both fibrous and osseous components. Such lesions include fibrous dysplasia, ossifying fibroma, cemento-ossifying fibroma and cementifying fibroma. Periodontal membrane is the origin of fibro-osseous lesions other than fibrous dysplasia

The comparative study on diagnostic validity of cerebral aneurysm by computed tomography angiography versus digital subtraction angiography after subarachnoid hemorrhage*

Background: In order to declare the preoperative diagnostic value of brain aneurysms, two radiological modalities, computed tomographic angiography and digital subtraction angiography were compared. Methods: In this descriptive analytic study, diagnostic value of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was com-pared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated and compared between the two modalities. All data were analyzed with SPSS software, version 16. Results: Mean age of patients was 49.5 ± 9.13 years. 57.9 % of subjects were female. CTA showed 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity whereas DSA demonstrated 74% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Positive predictive value of both methods was 100%, but negative predictive value of CTA and DSA was 85% and 69%, respectively. Conclusions: Based on our data, CTA is a valuable diagnostic modality for detection of brain aneurysm and su-barachnoid hemorrhage

A Large Primary Subcutaneous Hydatid Cyst in Proximal Thigh: An Unusual Localization

Primary muscular hydatidosis is a very rare condition with an incidence of 1%–4% in endemic regions. This case report describes an unusual location of hydatid cyst in the sartorius muscle and the application of imaging in its preoperative diagnosis, choosing a treatment strategy, and monitoring

Ultrasonographic alterations of pancreas in diabetic patients

&lt;strong&gt;BACKGROUND&lt;/strong&gt;: Pancreas as the insulin-producing gland is subjected to destruction and change in the diabetes-producing process. Realtime sonography can assess the gland in 95% of cases and its accuracy in diagnosis of pancreatic disease matches that of CT-scan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pancreatic diameter and echogenicity by sonography and to examine the correlation of these two factors with duration of disease in diabetes types I and II in comparison with controls.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;METHODS&lt;/strong&gt;: In two groups of 60 diabetic patients and healthy controls, diameter and echogenicity of pancreas was determined.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESULTS&lt;/strong&gt;: Diameter of pancreas was significantly different in diabetic patients and correlated with duration of disease.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONCLUSIONS&lt;/strong&gt;: In type I diabetes, decrease in the size of pancreas was more prevalent than in type II diabetes and these&lt;br /&gt;changes become more prominent over time

Association of anatomic variations with antrochoanal polyps in paranasal sinus computed tomography scan

Background: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of concomitant anatomic variation of paranasal sinuses in patients with antrochoanal polyp (ACP). Materials and Methods: Among patients referred by their clinicians for standard computed tomography scan of paranasal sinuses septal deviation, concha bullosa, and retention cyst were evaluated in both patients with ACP as well as in a control group. Results: Of the 17 patients with ACP, fifteen patients (88.2%) had septal deviation and two patients (11.8%) had concha bullosa. None of the patients with ACP had retention cyst or hypertrophic turbinate. Of the 78 patients in control group, twenty-nine (37.2%) had septal deviation, six (7.7%) had concha bullosa, seven (8.9%) had retention cyst, and one (1.2%) had hypertrophic turbinate. Septal deviation in patients with ACP has higher incidence (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that septal deviation is an anatomic variation which is significantly concomitant with ACP. Larger studies are needed to show the role of other anatomic variations in patients with ACP