ABSTRACT
Alterations in lipids metabolism are one of the important mechanisms for the treatment of insulin resistance and, hence for type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, PGC-1alpha, as a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function, by increasing beta-oxidation of lipids plays an important role in improving insulin sensitivity. In the present study, the effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate [EGCG], an anti-obesity and enhancer of lipid catabolism agent, on PGC-1alpha protein expression was examined and compared with the anti-diabetic drug Rosiglitazone [RGZ]. After differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts to myotubes, insulin resistance was induced by palmitate treatment. Afterward, PGC-1alpha protein expression was examined using the western blot method before and after treatment with insulin and after EGCG and RGZ treatment. Palmitate treatment significantly decreased PGC-1 alpha protein expression in the C2C12 cells [P=0.001]. Treatment of these cells with EGCG had no significant effect on the PGC-1 alpha protein expression [P=0.67], whereas treatment with RGZ significantly increased expression of this gene at protein level [P=0.003]. In addition, this significant increase in PGC-1 alpha protein expression was maintained by simultaneous treatment with EGCG and RGZ [P=0.001]. Our results showed that the effect of EGCG on PGC-1 a protein expression was not significant, whereas RGZ significantly improved the palmitate-induced reduction of PGC-1 alpha protein expression. Overall, it seems that anti-diabetic effect of EGCG is not exerted through its effect on the expression of PGC-1alpha gene, in contrast to that of RGZ
ABSTRACT
The radiation doses resulting from diagnostic X-ray examinations are routinely measured in terms of entrance surface dose [ESD] and effective dose [ED]. In this study, for the purpose of radiation protection, the radiation doses received from Digital chest X-ray examination were evaluated in terms of ESD and ED. The ED was calculated by using the MCNP Monte Carlo code and an adult hermaphrodite mathematical phantom. The effects of both operating high voltage and projection geometry on the effective dose were investigated. The absolute values of the ED were calculated for digital and conventional Posterior-Anterior [PA] and Lateral [LAT] projections of chest radiography. The results show ED for PA projection in digital chest radiography in some major hospitals is higher than National Diagnostic Reference Level [NDRL]. Therefore optimization process should be considered seriously at national level to reduce patient exposure in digital chest radiography in Iran
ABSTRACT
Although central venous catheter [CVC] is a favorable and quick method to access blood flow, however, it is associated with early and late complications. The aim of the present study was to determine complications of CVC placement in burned patients within one month of the procedure. This prospective study was performed on all patients with more than 30 per cent burn admitted to Imam Mousa Kazem Hospital of Isfahan during 2007-8. CVCs were applied for all of the patients and data related to the complications during placement, 24 hours and one month later were recorded. Sixty-one out of 96 burned patients were male and 35 female. The majority of the victims were in age range of 20-50 years. Twenty-six patients [27%] had complications during catheter placement, 3 [3.2%] after the first 24 hours and 31 [32.3%] after one month. The most common complication during catheter insertion was its application failure [15.6%], after 24 hours it was hematoma at the site of insertion [3.2%] and after one month, catheter infection [12.4%]. CVC application can help to reduce repeated peripheral venous catheters insertion and related subsequent complications, so it may be an effective and reliable method of long-term venous access