ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate platelet volume indices (mean platelet volume [MPV], platelet distribution width [PDW], and platelet large cell ratio [P-LCR]) in varicocele patients, and compare it with platelet volume parameters in healthy controls. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 2 groups: group 1 included 51 varicocele subjects and group 2 consisted of 50 healthy control subjects of similar ages. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-K2 anticoagulant between 8:30 AM and 10 AM following an overnight fast. Platelet volume parameters (MPV, PDW, and P-LCR) were measured in both groups within 2 hours of sampling. RESULTS: The mean PDW, MPV, and P-LCR were 13.9+/-2.5%, 10.1+/-1.3 fL, and 27.3+/-7.8% in varicocele patients, respectively, and were 12.6+/-2.4%, 9.3+/-1.1 fL, and 21.9+/-6.4% in the control group, respectively. The mean PDW, MPV, and P-LCR were significantly higher in the varicocele group than the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that vascular components may play an important role in the pathophysiology of varicocele; therefore, there is a great need for prospective studies to confirm this relationship.
Subject(s)
Humans , Blood Platelets , Cross-Sectional Studies , Mean Platelet Volume , Varicocele , Vascular DiseasesABSTRACT
Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy [PCNL] is less invasive treatment for kidney stones. This technique is preferred in patients with a history of open nephrolithotomy surgery due to fewer side effects. In this study, bleeding complication was compared in patients with and without history of open kidney surgery
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, PCNL was performed in 73 patients 17 patients with a history of open nephrolithotomy surgery [group 1] and 56 patients without any history of surgery [group 2] referring to Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, between 2010-2011. Serum hematocrit [Hct] before and after surgery, irrigation fluid volume used in operation room, and Hct of irrigation fluid were considered as a measure of bleeding. Obtained data were statistically analyzed in SPSS software, version 15, using independent-sample T-test, Man- Whitney U test and Pearson test. A P<0.05 was considered significant
Results: The irrigation fluid used in group 1 was 14.8 liters, while this was 7.9 liters in another group [p<0.001]. Decrease in hematocrit level was 10 in group 1 and 4.05 in group 2. This difference was statistically quite significant [P<0.001]. Mean blood loss volume was 405.7cc and 103.2cc in group 1 and 2, respectively [P<0.001]
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the PCNL bleeding complications is seen more in patients with a history of open kidney surgery. Irrigation fluid hematocrit may be considered as a reliable index for the bleeding measurement of patient, independent of serum intake and hydration
ABSTRACT
The etiology, pathophysiology and treatment of Peyronie's disease remain unknown. Few medical therapies have positive effect on this condition. However, penile curvature is the major symptom of Peyronie's disease, which can be treated by surgical reconstruction. There are many surgical techniques for correcting penile deformity but there is the lack of a gold standard procedure. We present a surgical technique to correct penile deformity in Peyronie's disease. In this case series study, we treated 14 patients with stable Peyronie's disease with significant curvature that precluded intercourse. We excised the fibrous area and the gap was covered with a graft removed from the crural segment of the corpora cavernosa. In 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up there were straightening of penis in 92.8, 92.8 and 78. 2% of patients and acceptable erectile function in 100, 92.8 and 85.7%, respectively. Thirteen and eleven of 14 patients were satisfactory with the cosmetic and functional result of surgery, respectively. No severe perioperative complication was noted. Present technique may be considered as a treatment option in patients with curvature due to Peyronie's disease. Tunica albuginea auto graft from crural segment seems to be an appropriate grafting material for this technique
ABSTRACT
There are few reports in the scientific literature on the factors taken into account by editors in deciding to accept or reject a scientific paper. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of different factors on the journal editors' decisions on whether to accept or reject the manuscripts submitted to their journals. We randomly selected the participants from the authors of original articles and case reports published in six medical journals, and sent them a questionnaire by e-mail. We analyzed the scores they gave to each of the 17 items of the questionnaire. One hundred and nineteen of the authors responded to our survey. The scores given by the respondents were analyzed comparing authors of developing and developed countries. Also, the results from authors of high- impact journals were compared with those with a low-impact factor. Multidimensional scaling was used to categorize the items based on their average scores. Highest scores were given to items addressing the quality of study performance, those addressing manuscript writing, and to the role of statistical significance of the results in the probability of studies getting published. Authors still believe in the existence of publication bias. They estimate its role to be comparable with the role of the quality of study performance and reporting. Our study also proves the presence of developing country bias, from the authors' perspective