Comparative Study of the Level of Inflammatory Factors of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Reactive Protein C in Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules

Objective: To evaluate the level of inflammatory factors of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and reactive protein C in benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Material and Methods: In this case-control study, patients who were referred because of an enlarged thyroid gland were selected, patients who had undergone surgery for the thyroid nodule were included in the study. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and reactive protein C were measured before surgery in patients who were candidates for thyroid surgery. The histopathological records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant cases had a cytological evaluation of thyroid nodules by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The mean of ESR / CRP in both groups was compared using an independent t-test (p>0.05). Results: In malignant tumor type, in all patients, with Pill (PTC), analyzes in the malignant group showed a significant difference between the mean ESR / CRP in both groups with and without thyroid history. Sub-analyzes in the malignant group were significantly different between the mean ESR / CRP in both groups with and without thyroid histories (p=0.009) (40.16 ± 28.81). The association between ESR and CRP, ESR / CRP and tumor size, ESR / CRP and age in each group as well as in the whole patients were evaluated using Pearson correlation test, which showed a positive association between ESR age and ESR (p=0.024, r=0.375). In the malignant group, a negative correlation was found between the age and the CRP rate (p=0.027, r=-0.441), and in the total patients between the age and the rate (ES=0.043, r=-0.256). Conclusion: Factors such as ESR and CRP, which are considered acute phase reactors and their levels increase in acute inflammatory conditions, may not have a significant increase in chronic inflammatory conditions and malignancies

Comparative Study of the Level of Inflammatory Factors of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Reactive Protein C in Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules

Objective: To evaluate the level of inflammatory factors of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and reactive protein C in benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Material and Methods: In this case-control study, patients who were referred because of an enlarged thyroid gland were selected, patients who had undergone surgery for the thyroid nodule were included in the study. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and reactive protein C were measured before surgery in patients who were candidates for thyroid surgery. The histopathological records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant cases had a cytological evaluation of thyroid nodules by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The mean of ESR / CRP in both groups was compared using an independent t-test (p>0.05). Results: In malignant tumor type, in all patients, with Pill (PTC), analyzes in the malignant group showed a significant difference between the mean ESR / CRP in both groups with and without thyroid history. Sub-analyzes in the malignant group were significantly different between the mean ESR / CRP in both groups with and without thyroid histories (p=0.009) (40.16 ± 28.81). The association between ESR and CRP, ESR / CRP and tumor size, ESR / CRP and age in each group as well as in the whole patients were evaluated using Pearson correlation test, which showed a positive association between ESR age and ESR (p=0.024, r=0.375). In the malignant group, a negative correlation was found between the age and the CRP rate (p=0.027, r=-0.441), and in the total patients between the age and the rate (ES=0.043, r=-0.256). Conclusion: Factors such as ESR and CRP, which are considered acute phase reactors and their levels increase in acute inflammatory conditions, may not have a significant increase in chronic inflammatory conditions and malignancies

Assessment of the Attitude of Medical Students of Qom University of Medical Sciences towards Research Process in 2015, Iran

Background and Objectives: Medical science research is one of the most important parts of research in societies, and large research budgets are spent in this area. On the other hands, training researchers in medical universities is one of the important missions of universities. This study aimed to determine the attitude of medical students of Qom University of Medical Sciences towards research. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on all medical students of Qom University of Medical Sciences in the first semester of 2015-2016. A total of 150 students were selected by convenient sampling method. Data collection tool included demographic characteristic questionnaire and valid and reliable attitude assessment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent t-test at the significance level of less than 0.05. Results: In this study, 62.7% (N=94) of the subjects were female and 37.3% (N=56) were male. The mean age and grade point average of the students were 21.52 and 18.98, respectively. 54.7% of the students had no collaboration and participation in research activities. The mean score of attitude toward research was about 86.60±7.66. Also, it was determined that only 7% of the students had positive attitude and 98.7% had moderate attitude. There was no significant difference between attitude score based on the gender and history of research activity (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that attitude towards research is not favorable in the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Thus, it is recommended to implement motivational program and providing broad information

Serum Eicosapentaenoic and Arachidonic Acids Concentration and Cognitive Function in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), including Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), and Arachidonic Acid (AA), are associated with cognitive functions in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Nevertheless, controversial results have been reported, too. The current study aimed to clarify the association of serum EPA and AA levels with cognitive decline in an Iranian sample with CAD. Methods: We evaluated cognitive function with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), in relation to serum levels of EPA and AA, in 179 CAD patients. The associations between the MMSE and MoCA scores and the other demographic parameters were evaluated. Results: Patients with CAD generally had mild cognitive impairment. But we could not find any significant correlation between PUFAs and cognitive function. However, BMI was associated with EPA/MoCA; age was associated with MMSE/MoCA and BMI. Finally, the correlation between sex and MMSE/MoCA was significant.  Conclusion: Subjects generally had mild cognitive impairment, but we could not find any significant correlation between serum EPA and AA levels with cognitive function