[Comparative study of diagnostic value of gastric aspirate shakes test and lamellar body count for prediction of lung maturity in premature neonates]

Respiratory distress syndrome due to lack of enough surfactant in fetal lung tissue is a common cause of neonatal mortality. There are several laboratory methods to predict the amount of fetal lung surfactant. The purpose of this study was to compare lamellar body count test [Quantitative test] and gastric aspirate shake test [Qualitative test] for prediction of the amount of pulmonary surfactant in premature neonates. This descriptive- analytic study was performed between August 2012 and January 2013 for 6 months and included 150 premature infants with gestational age of less than 34 weeks, born in Imam Reza [AS] Hospital, in Kermanshah. In this study, both gastric aspirate shake test and lamellar body count test were performed for all infants simultaneously. Using nasogastric tube we aspirated at least 2.5 cc of gastric secretions within the first hour of birth. For gastric aspirate shake test we added 0.5 cc normal saline and 1cc 95% ethyl alcohol to 0.5 cc of amniotic fluid and shook the test tube well for 15 seconds. Then, we counted the bubbles formed on the surface of the test tube. A cell counter [Sysmex model Xt-1800i] was used to determine the lamellar body counts. We used ROC Curve and kappa coefficient for data analysis. Of 230 samples, 80 were excluded from the study because of contamination with blood or meconium. Finally, 150 samples were analyzed. 59 cases [39/3%] had respiratory distress syndrome. The respective values of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome were 62.7%, 100%, 80.5% and100% for gastric shake test, and 98.3%, 94.5%, 98.9% and 92.1% for lamellar body count test. Lamellar body count, is a useful test for screening of respiratory distress syndrome and gastric aspirate shake test is also a suitable test to rule out respiratory distress syndrome. By using these 2 tests, we can expect appropriate sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome

[Effect of supplementation with grape seed extract [vitis vinifera] on serum lipid profiles in patient with type 2 diabetes]

Lipid abnormalities are a major cause of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the supplemental effects of grape seed extract on serum lipid profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was a randomized, triple-blind, clinical trial in which 48 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to 2 groups, the grape seed extract supplement and the placebo group. The patients in the grape seed extract group received 200 mg/d grape seed extract for 8 weeks while the placebo group received a corresponding placebo. At baseline and or the end of the 8[th] week of the study, 5 ml blood was collected after a 12 to 14-hour fast from each patient and serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C were measured. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to mean changes of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C. The results of the present study indicate that grape seed extract supplement has no effect on serum lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes

[Comparison of transcutaneous and serum bilirubin level in term neonates with jaundice]

Transcutaneous bilirubin measurement is a noninvasive method which is associated with decreased pain, less skin injury and lower risk of infection. In addition there is no need to take blood sample .The aim of this study was to determine the clinical accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubinometry [TCB] in comparison to that of total serum bilirubin [TSB] measurements in term neonates. This descriptive- analytic study included 212 term neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinemia at neonatal intensive care unit of Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah from January 2009 to August 2010. Inclusion criteria were: birth weights between 2500-4000 grams and postnatal age between 2-28 days. Before starting phototherapy blood samples for measurement of serum bilirubin levels were obtained and measurement of transcutaneous bilirubin was carried out at the same time. Measurement of transcutaneous bilirubin from the forehead skin was performed by a trained person according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Data analysis was performed with Stata software. Mean values for total serum bilirubin before and after the onset of phototherapy were 18.43 and 15.21 mg/dl, and the respective values for transcutaneous bilirubin were 18.08 and 15.02mg/dl. There were no significant differences between transcutaneous and serum bilirubin levels before the onset of phototherapy [p=0.47], and the linear correlation coefficient was 0.50. Also no significant differences were detected between transcutaneous and serum bilirubin levels after phototherapy [p=0.27], and the correlation coefficient was 0.78. There was a good correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin and serum bilirubin levels especially in the male neonates with birth weights of less than 2600 grams after 12 hours of phototherapy. According to the results of this study, transcutaneous bilirubinometry can be recommended for the screening of neonatal jaundice

Production of 177Lu and formulation of Ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate [EDTMP] kits as a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical

Owing to its favourable decay characteristics 177Lu [T1/2= 6.71 d, Ebeta[max]= 497 keV] is an attractive radionuclide for various therapeutic applications. Ethylene diamine tatramethylene phosphonate [EDTMP] is one of the most widely used ligands which form stable complexes with various radionuclides and all the complexes. Enriched 176Lu2O3 was dissolved in 0.1 N HCl and evaporated several times and 176LuCl3 target was irradiated at 2.6x1013 n.Cm- 2.S-1 thermal neutron flux for 14 days.177LuCl3 was dissolved in 1N HCl. EDTMP was dissolved in double distilled water at pH=7.5-8.5 and freeze-dried kits was radiolabeled with 177LuCl3. Distribution studies were done in healthy mice. The yield of 177Lu was [220 TBq/g; 6000 Ci/g], the radionuclidic purity was 99%.The radiolabeling yield of EDTMP kits at 37°C after 30 min and 4 hours was 98 +/- 0.5% and after 72 hours was 90 +/- 2.1%, the in vitro stability in human serum at 37°C up to 72 hours post radiolabeling was 85 +/- 1.8%.The biodistribution studies of 177Lu-EDTMP and 177LuCl3 in normal mice showed skeleton uptake and low soft-tissue concentration. In this study, we produce 220 TBq/g [6000 Ci/g] of 177Lu by neutron activation of 176Lu in the Tehran Research Reactor. Our results showed 177Lu-EDTMP as a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical. Due to its suitable nuclear characteristics 177Lu appears to be worthwhile for palliative therapy of bone metastasis

Ghrelin enhances viability of rat spermatozoa during incubation at 37°C

Antioxidant properties of ghrelin have been demonstrated in recent studies. In the present study, the effects of chronic administration of ghrelin on the motility and plasma membrane integrity of rat spermatozoa during incubation at 37°C were investigated. Thirty 45-day-old male Wistar rats were divided into control and treatment groups. Rats in the treatment group were daily injected subcutaneously with 1 nmol of ghrelin for 10 consecutive days and the control rats received normal saline. Sperm was collected after killing of rats on days 5, 15 and 40 after the last injection, and sperm characteristics were examined at 0, 3 and 5 h after incubation at 37°C. Mass motility and forward progressive movement of spermatozoa were significantly higher in ghrelin-treated animals at 3 and 5 h of incubation on day 5 [P<0.05]. After 3 h of incubation on day 15, only mass motility was greater than that of the control group. Plasma membrane integrity was assessed by hypoosmotic swelling [HOS] "water test". The mean value of HOS reacted spermatozoa was higher in the treatment group on days 5 and 15 during 0, 3 and 5 h of incubation [P<0.05]. However, the percentage of HOS-positive spermatozoa was not significantly different on day 40 between groups. There was a high correlation at 3 and 5 h of day 5 between the forward progressive movement [r = 0.92 and 0.94, P<0.0001] as well as overall sperm motility [r = 0.78 and 0.81, P<0.01] with HOS test in the ghrelin-treated animals. These results can be attributed to the antioxidative effects of ghrelin on the rat sperm especially on its plasma membrane which probably protects the sperm plasma membrane against oxidative damage during incubation and causes subsequent significant increase in the HOS test results. This may result in higher sperm motility index during 5 h of incubation

[Production and quality control of technetium-99m radiolabeled monoclonal antibody against colon cancer cells]

Binding a monoclonal antibody to tumor associated antigens is an effective method for cancer therapy because these agents can specifically target malignant cells. In fact, monoclonal antibodies are effective agents for diagnosis, grading and treatment of different kinds of cancers. In this research, a new monoclonal antibody against colon cancer cells was prepared and radiolabeling with technetium-99m evaluated. This research was done in three parts: preparation of hybridoma cell against colon cancer cell line [HT29], production of monoclonal antibody, determination of its characterizations and radiolabeling with technetium-99m. mAb-D2 is an IgG1 with affinity constant of 7.2x10[9] M[-1] which can recognize CEA in tumor cells. Radiolabeling showed that [99m]Tc-HYNIC-mAb-D2 complex is stable, immunoradioactive, and has a desirable biodistribution. In this study, we gained a new radiopharmaceutical that may be a good candidate for radioimmunoscintigraphy

[Effects of progressive muscular relaxation training on anxiety level and health related quality of life in anxious patients after coronary artery bypass surgery]

There is a lack of clinical trials studying the effects of relaxation techniques as a basis of stress management on anxiety and quality of life in anxious patients after heart surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive muscular relaxation training on reducing anxiety and improving quality of life among patients with high levels of anxiety after coronary artery bypass graft surgery [CABG]. A randomized controlled trial with a prospective pretest-posttest experimental design was used. One hundred ten patients with threatening anxiety level, 6 weeks after coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received progressive muscular relaxation [PMR] training, and the control group received only routine cardiac rehabilitation care. State/trait anxiety was measured with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and quality of life was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. There were significant reductions in state anxiety] P=0.001] and trait anxiety[P=0.001] in the experimental group when compared with the controls after the intervention. Significant improvements were found in the following quality of life measures after participating in progressive muscular relaxation training: physical functioning[P=0.00001], role-physical [P=0.03], bodily pain[P=0.00001], general health[P=0.00001], vitality[P=0.00001], social functioning[P=0.001], role-emotional [P=0.00001] and mental health[P=0.00001]. Teaching relaxation techniques could serve as a resource for improving heart patients' psychological health and quality of life

Effect of ewe breed on the reaction time and semen characteristics in the ram

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ewe breed on the reaction time and semen characteristics in the ram. For this purpose, from the native sheep breeds in Iran, seven Lory rams and four ewes [two Lory and two Ghezel breeds] were selected. Seven rams were individually subjected to 4 weekly trials in which one of the following two treatments was applied alternately. All of rams were scheduled twice weekly to introduce with the same [Lory] and different [Ghezel] ewe breed individually. In each session, the reaction time and number of mounts before ejaculation were recorded. At two another sessions per week, sperm evaluation was performed in each group after collection of semen by artificial vagina. When the both breeds of the ram and ewe were the same, the mean of reaction time, number of mounts, ejaculation volume, sperm concentration and sperm viability were 44.6 sec, 2.7, 0.97 ml, 4.49 x 10[9] sperm/ml and 88.9%, respectively and when the breeds were different, the means were 61.5 sec, 2.9, 1.0 ml, 4.52 x 10[9] sperm/ml and 88.4%, respectively. The reaction time was significantly lower in the first group [P<0.01]. However, there was no significant difference in the other parameters between the two groups. It was concluded that during semen collection, when the both breeds of the ram and ewe are the same, the reaction time becomes significantly lower, but the number of mounts and semen characteristics [volume, sperm concentration and viability] did not differ

Comparative evaluation of the effect of antioxidants on the chilled-stored ram semen

The aim of this investigation was to assess the effect of different antioxidants on the motility and membrane integrity of the ram semen during storage at 5[degree]C for 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after collection and dilution. A total of 57 ejaculates from 12 Bakhtiary rams was collected by artificial vagina and were extended 1 : 3 with egg yolk-citrate buffer, which was containing one of the following antioxidants: BSA 1% [w/v], BSA 3%, BSA 1% + sucrose 10%, BSA 3% + sucrose 10%, vitamin E [1 mg], vitamin E [2 mg], ascorbic acid [0.9 mg/ml] and control group without any antioxidant. Percent of motile sperm [PMS], rate of forward movement [RFM] and membrane integrity in extenders contained vitamin E groups were significantly higher up to 48 hrs than other groups [P<0.05]. Although, addition of 2 mg vitamin E was more effective than 1 mg vitamin E in sperm protection, however, the difference was not statistically significant. Likewise, addition of BSA alone or in combination with sucrose was superior to ascorbic acid in maintenance of sperm motility and membrane integrity. It seems that sucrose has not positive effect on these 3 parameters in combination with BSA. In conclusion, adding vitamin E to the extender of ram semen during dilution is superior in maintenance of sperm kinematic parameters up to 48 hrs during storage at 5[degree]C

Synthesis, development and preclinical comparison of two new peptide based freeze-dried kit formulation 99mTc-EDDA-Tricine-HYNIC-TOC and 99mTc-EDDA-Trinice-HYNIC-TATE for somatostatin receptor positive tumor scintigraphy

Somatostatin receptor [sstr] scintigraphy with [111In diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid]-octreotide [[111In-DTPA]-OC] has became a routine diagnostic procedure in oncology. However, it suffers from some drawbacks concerning the limited availability, suboptimal imaging properties and elevated radiation burden of 111In. In this study synthesis, conjugation and preclinical evaluation of two new freeze-dried kit formulation based on somatostatin analogues, Tyr3-Octreotide [TOC] and Tyr3-octreotate [TATE], designed for the labeling with 99mTc are described. After cleavage from the resin and preparation of the cyclized peptides, these compounds were conjugated with 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid [HYNIC] in solution. Radiolabeling of HYNIC peptide conjugates was performed at high specific activity using one-step kits formulation based on tricine and ethylenediamine-N,N? -diacetic acid [EDDA] as co-ligands. Both, 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid0-Tyr3-Octreotide [HYNIC-TOC] and 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid0-Tyr3-Octreotate [HYNIC-TATE], showed a specific and high rate of internalization after 4 h in AR4-2J rat pancreatic tumor cells, [11.2 +/- 0.8 and 18.1 +/- 1.2 respectively]. Biodistribution studies in AR4-2J tumor-bearing rats showed rapid clearance of both analogues from all sstr-negative tissues except the kidneys. The specific uptake in tumor and sstr-positive tissues especially pituitary, pancreas and adrenals were observed. After 4 h the adrenals to pancreas uptake ratio for HYNIC-TOC was higher than that of HYNIC-TATE. Although both compounds had high kidney and low liver excretion, for HYNIC-TATE, it was lower. The results suggest these two new peptide based freeze-dried kits might be of great promise for clinical application in imaging of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors

[Application of radioimmunoassay technique for determination of antigen concentration in different cells with a new monoclonal antibody]

Binding a monoclonal antibody to tumor associated antigens is an effective method for cancer therapy because these agents can specifically target malignant cells, in fact monoclonal antibodies are effective agents for diagnosis, grading and treatment of different kinds of cancers. In this research, a new monoclonal antibody against colon cancer cells was prepared and antigen concentration in different cells determined by a radioimmunoassay method using iodine [I-125] labeled protein G. 125I-labeled protein G percent binding to white blood cell, HT29, LS180 and MCF7 cell lines were 7.1%, 91.2%, 75.8% and 40.2%, respectively. Regarding importance of monoclonal antibody applications, it is necessary to find an efficient method for their evaluation in cancer therapy. In this method, a radioactive agent with no count restriction was used. Also by this method, amount of the antigen can be easily quantified

In vitro survival rate of bovine oocytes following vitrification in glass capillary micropipette [GCM]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of glass capillary micropipette [GCM] as a vessel for vitrification of bovine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes [COCs] were obtained from slaughter-house and washed 5 to 6 times in the washing medium [TCM-199 + 20% FBS] and randomly assigned to treatment and control group. In the first step of vitrification, COCs were exposed to first vitrification solution [VS1] [10% ethylene glycol [EG], 10% DMSO in holding medium [TCM-l99 + 10% FBS: HM]] for I min at room temperature and then placed in VS2 solution [20% EG, 20% DMSO in HM] for 25 sec and immediately were loaded into the GCM vessel. The filled portion of GCM vessels were placed in liquid nitrogen [LN [2]] for 3 to 5 sec and then completely immersed and stored there. The oocytes were thawed by immersing the capillary end of the straw in 1 ml of 0.25 M sucrose in HM and gently expelling the contents. After 1 min the oocytes were transferred into 100 micro l of 0.15 M sucrose in HM for another 5 mm and then washed with HM twice. For examining the in vitro developmental potential of vitrified-warmed oocytes, the oocytes were placed in 50 micro 1 droplet of maturation medium [TCM-l99 + 10% FBS - 10 IU/ml PMSG + 15 IU/ml HCG] covered with paraffin oil in a CO [2] incubator at 38.5°C for 24 hrs. A high proportion of morphologically normal oocytes [90%] was recovered after vitrification-warming. The percentage of live oocytes after 24 hrs when tested with trypan blue in GCM group was 85.18%, significantly did not differ from control group [90%]. The proportion of oocytes which were found to have undergone nuclear maturation did not show statistical difference between the control and GCM group [61.29% vs 40%, respectively]. The results of present study demonstrated that vitrification of immature bovine oocytes in the GCM vessels and EG + DMSO solution have high survival rate

Study on the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir, Iran

The aim of this survey was to evaluate the frequency of pregnant ewes slaughtered in Khorram Abad abattoir and estimation of their gestational age. Over a period of five months in fall and winter, a total number of 3046 uterine tracts were collected. Pregnancy was detected in 56.50% of ewes, 52.36% and 4.13% of which carried singleton and twins, respectively. The highest frequency of pregnancy was detected in January [65.63%] and the lowest frequency was detected in March [35.02%]. Among a total number of 1721 pregnant ewes, the most frequency of gestational age [34.68%] was recorded to be between 2 and 3 months of gestation, while 5.05% was detected to be above 121 days. Overall, the number of pregnant ewes with a gestational age over two months was considerable [59.83%]. It was concluded that reproductive waste resulting from slaughtering of pregnant animals is important in ewes in Khorram Abad and could be prevented by an improved antemortem examination

Effects of intrauterine administration of oxytetracycline on uterine involution in the ewe

After parturition, the genital system is returning to its normal non-pregnant state. The reduction in the size of the genital tract is called involution. Involution of the ovine uterus after parturition was investigated following the intrauterine administration of oxytetracycline [2 gr]. Under general anaesthesia and using strict asepsis the genital tract of ewes in 2nd month of gestation were exteriorised through a posterior midline laparatomy and four non-toxic split aluminium shots with different sizes were sutured to the wall of the uterine horns and internal os of the cervix [Radio-opaque markers method]. Then, for assessment of uterine involution sequential radiographs were taken on the day of lambing and 3, 7, 14, 28 and 42 days after parturition. Three measurements [uterine body length, gravid and non-gravid horn diameter] were made on each of the radiographs. Involution of the uterine body length and gravid horn diameter were completed by about 28 days after parturition in sterile water treated [Control] group [n = 6] whereas completion of the non-gravid horn involution was significantly more rapid [by about 14 days after parturition] than gravid horn [P<0.05]. The mean of the uterine body length, gravid and non-gravid horn diameter of oxytetracycline administered [treatment] ewes [n = 4] at any stages after parturition were non significantly higher than the control group [P>0.05]. The mean of three measurements of the treatment [n = 4] group at the day 42 were similar to the control group at the day 14 after lambing. However, the present study demonstrates that treatment with intrauterine oxytetracycline may prolong involution of the reproductive tract of ewes after parturition

Evaluation of uterine involution using radio-opaque markers during the postpartum period in Makuii ewes

After completion of the third stage of parturition and expulsion of the placenta, the uterus starts to involute until it reaches to normal size. The rate of uterine involution after parturition was studied in 6 healthy Makuii ewes. During second month of pregnancy the genital tract was exteriorized through a posterior midline laparatomy under general anesthesia and then four non-toxic split shots with different sizes were sutured on the serosal wall of the uterine body and horns. After parturition, the distance between markers was measured by sequential radiography. The mean length of the uterine body declined until 28 days after lambing but statistically maximum reduction was seen at about 14 days after parturition [P<0.05]. Also, the mean diameter of gravid and non-gravid horn rapidly declined until 14 days postpartum [P<0.05] but reduction countinued until 42 days postpartum [P>0.05]. The difference between the mean diameter of the gravid and non-gravid horn was not significant between days 14-42 [because of relatively small reduction in size]. There as a high correlation between the measurements taken at the time of laparotomy and determined by radiography [4 days after surgery] for the mean length of uterine body [r = 0.89], the mean gravid horn diameter [r = 0.91] and non-gravid horn diameter [r = 0.79]. In conclusion, after final statistical analysis of sequential radiographic views by using a repeated measurement analysis of variance, involution of the uterus in Makuii ewes was completed about 28 days postpartum for the uterine body and about 14 days for both the gravid and non-gravid horn. Radio-opaque marker is a useful method to study changes of the uterine size after parturition in live ewes

Preparation, formulation and quality control of one step Kit - 99mTc -EDDA/HyNic - Tyr - Octreotide as a peptide radiopharmaceutical for imaging somatostatin receptor positive tumors

The high expression of somatostatin receptors in many tumours, have made receptor scintigraphy with 111In-DTPA-Octreotide a widly used procedure in nuclear medicine. Despite its clinical success, some limitation and drawbacks of radiolabelling with 111In remain, especially those concerned with the cost, availability and physical decay properties of this radionuclide. 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-Tyr3-TOC was studied as a new agent with the potential to replace Octreoscan in somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. This hydrazinonicotinic acid derivatized somatostatin complex contains ethylenediamine N,N diacetic acid [EDDA] as a co-ligand resulting in a high in vitro and in vivo stability. High labeling yields [>90%] were achieved at high specific activities. Charactrization via HPLC, biodistribution and receptor binding of the resulting complex are described. The formulation developed enables rapid and simple labeling of 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC in a manner suitable for clinical setting

Study of relationship between low back pain relation and foot disorders

Low back pain [LBP] has a high prevalence in any society. Although the relation between LBP and foot disorders is improbable, however, knowing this subject that each part of the foot has a role in body balance and this has a significant relationship with cooperation of body muscles, and any change in foot parts can affect the entered forces to the muscles and change them. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between chronic LBP and foot disorders in two groups of healthy and LBP affected subjects. This is a case-control study, in which the relation between LBP and some foot disorders like Hallux valagus, Hallax rigidus, flat foot, calf muscle tightness and foot dimensions in subjects with and without LBP was studied. These subjects were selected with simple nonrandomized sampling and there were 83 subjects in each group. Findings showed a significant relation between Hallux valgus, Hallux rigidus, flat foot and solcus tightness with chronic LBP, but no significant relationship between foot dimensions [except width of right sole] and gastrocnemius tightness with chronic LBP was found. According to these results it can concluded the foot and ankle disorders due to their effects on posture, balance and gait, in long time, may cause chroic LBP