proton induced X-ray emission [PIXE] analysis of concentration of trace elements in varicose veins

Proton induced X-ray emission [PIXE] has been applied as reliable and improved techniques in this study to compare concentration of various trace elements in normal and abnormal varicose veins. Five samples from normal veins and 13 samples from varicose veins bombarded by 2.0 MeV energy proton beams produced by a Van de Graff accelerator in vacuum. Two specimens from each sample, approximately 1cm, were processed for PIXE [proton induced X-ray emission] analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of potassium, iron, copper and zinc concentration were performed with respect to calcium concentration. The concentration of potassium and iron in the varicose vein group has been significantly higher than the normal group. Copper and zinc concentration were also higher in the varicose veins, and the elevation of bromine was seen in the normal group. PIXE analysis showed higher concentrations of trace elements in veins derived from varicos patients compared to normal group. The difference in normal and abnormal vein might be independent of age

Prospective evaluation of endo venous laser therapy for varicose vein; early efficacy and complications. The first report from Iran

In recent years, the endovenous laser therapy [EVLT] has been proposed to treat the incompetent greater saphenous veins [GSV] to increase patient comfort, and to reduce cost as well as risk. EVLT causes vein wall thickening, luminal contraction and vein fibrosis. The purpose of this article, as the first report from Iran, is to review our experience and outline the early results and complication of EVLT. 22 patients [13 females and 9 males, mean age: 40.6 +/- 11 years, range: 25-64] underwent EVLT of incompetent GSV segments with 810-nm diode laser with an average energy of 89.2 J/cm [range, 50-123 J/cm]. Success rate was defined as absence of reflux throughout the entire treated segment on follow-up doppler ultrasound [DUS] and clinical resolution of symptoms. Short-term results in the EVLT of 22 GSV indicate a 100% rate of closure. Self-limiting complication were occurred in 18% of patients and included moderate ecchymosis and paresthesias in 3 [13.5%], and 1 [4.5%] patients, respectively. No major complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were occurred. DUS demonstrated 21 [95%] and 19 [90.9%] occluded GSVs at 12 weeks, and 24 weeks respectively. The early results of our experiences are excellent. EVLT of the incompetent GSV with an 810 nm diode laser appears to be an extremely safe technique. EVLT is a very effective and safe with best cosmetic results and rare side effects

Relative measurement of heavy elements in the bile, gallbladder and gallstone

PIXE [Particle Induced X-Ray Emission] is a suitable method for the analysis of biological samples in which heavy trace elements are contained in light matrix elements. It is very important to know which factors or probably elements act as initial seed and lead to growing the sands. The goal of this study was to compare the relative values of Fe/K, Cu/K and Zn/K for gallstones, gallbladder, and bile of a specific patient for studying the origination of forming the gallstones. Human gallbladder, bile, and gallstone samples were obtained by surgical operation from 15 patients and are bombarded by 2.0 MeV energy proton beams produced by van de Graff accelerator in vacuum. All the gallstones were chosen of pigment type of stones and, all the patients were adults. In contrast with conventional methods, the shell and center of the sands has been analyzed separately. The PIXE spectrum analysis was performed using the nonlinear least square fitting code AXIL and GUPIX. The results of detected minor and trace elements shows that the precipitation of calcium salt in the bile lead to reduction of crystals' formation. Elemental comparison of pigment type of gallstone and bile shows that the concentration of calcium in the shell of the stones is four times more than that in the bile. Precipitation of the calcium from the saturated bile on the cholesterols as a seed of gallstones led to reduced sands formation. Analysis of the gallbladder of the same patients revealed no relation between elemental concentrations of bile and gallstones

[Evaluation of factors influencing ICU stay time after coronary artery bypass]

Background: Coronary artery bypass is one of most frequently performed operations which imposes considerable cost in the society. These are different sorts of peri and post operation factors influencing the stay time and expenses. The aim of this study is to evaluate these factors influencing stay time

Material and methods: It is a cross-sectional study which evaluates influencing factors on ICU stay time in 346 patient during 1381-1384. These patients were divided into two groups according to stay time 5. 3 days and stay time > 3 days

Results: Patients' ages were in the range of 36-77 years old and the mean of ICU stay time was 4.02 +/-1.44. Among preoperative factors, weight [P=0.03] and age [P=0.03] has significant differences. Women and type II diabetic patients had more stay time. Among clinical findings, arterial involvement has significant P-value [P=0.03]. Among labratory findings, following factors have significant differences between two groups. BUN [P=0.001], Hct [P=0.04], WBC [P=0.04], units of blood transmission in peration room [P=0.001] and ICU [P=0.02], number of recieved inotrops in operation room [P=0.001] and ICU [P=0.001], aortic clamp time [P=0.09], intubation time [P=0.001] and artificial ventilatyion time [P=0.001]

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that comprhensive pre, peri and post evaluation helps us not only to have a better understanding of ICU and hospital stay time but also to have the capability to decrease the stay time by implementation of appropriate change in patients' conditions

Evaluation of factors influencing ICU stay time after coronary artery bypass

Coronary artery bypass is one of most frequently performed operations which imposes considerable cost in the society. These are different sorts of peri and post operation factors influencing the stay time and expenses. The aim of this study is to evaluate these factors influencing stay time. It is a cross-sectional study which evaluates influencing factors on ICU stay time in 346 patients during 1381-1384. These patients were divided into two groups according to stay time /= 3 days. Patients' ages were in the range of 36-77 years old and the mean of ICU stay time was 4.02 +/- 1.44. Among preoperative factors, weight [P=0.03] and age [P=0.03] has significant differences. Women and type II diabetic patients had more stay time. Among clinical findings, arterial involvement has significant P-value [P=0.03]. Among labratory findings, following factors have significant differences between two groups. BUN [P=0.001], Hct [P=0.04], WBC [P=0.04], units of blood transmission in operation room [P=0.001] and ICU [P=0.02], number of recieved inotrops in operation room [P=0.001] and ICU [P=0.001], aortic clamp time [P=0.09], intubation time [P=0.001] and artificial ventilation time [P=0.001]. This study demonstrates that comprehensive pre, peri and post evaluation helps us not only to have a better understanding of ICU and hospital stay time but also to have the capability to decrease the stay time by implementation of appropriate change in patients' conditions

Investigation of heavy trace elements in neoplastic and non-neoplastic human thyroid tissue: a study by proton - induced X-ray emissions

Within the context of developing techniques to facilitate the diagnosis of the thyroid diseases, the elemental composition of pathological thyroid tissue [neoplastic and non-neoplastic] was investigated by proton induced X-ray emission. The PIXE has been widely used as a sensitive technique for trace elemental analysis in both biological and medical fields. Materials and The twenty-eight specimen of thyroid tissue [neoplastic, non-neoplastic and grossly normal tissue] were obtained from operation of 14 patients with different thyroid diseases. Determination of the heavy trace elements distribution [Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Mo, I] was carried out by irradiating of the sample surface with a focused proton beam. Fourteen grossly normal, eleven non-neoplastic and three malignant thyroid neoplasm cases were diagnosed. Trace element contents of the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] MA-B-3/TM Fish tissue was used as standard for calibration of PIXE set up. The concentration of the heavy trace elements Co, Cu, Zn and Mo in neoplasm of thyroid were higher than other samples. The concentration of the heavy trace elements, Fe, As, Br, Rb, I, are found to be much lower in neoplasm of thyroid than non-malignant and grossly normal thyroid tissue. The concentration of the Se, Co and I in this study is consistent with the others study but there are differences in the concentration of Fe in our study and others works. Iodine concentrations was 11 times lower, on average in neoplasm compared with non-neoplasmic tissue of thyroid. The low levels of I in thyroid neoplasm are correlated to some pathological factors

pixe analysis for measuring the trace element concentration breast tissue of Iranian women

A powerful and improved technique, Proton Induced X-ray Emission [PIXE] has been performed-yielding the elemental composition of 17 samples of surgically excised malignant and normal tumors of breast tissue. The samples without any further process as thick targets were put on capton foil backing. There are no homogenizing processes. The PIXE spectra analysis was performed using he non-linear least square fitting code AXIL and GUPIX. Materials and The samples are taken from patients in the wide range of age and are bombarded by 2.0 Me v energy proton beams produced by van de graff accelerator in vacuum. The quantitative comparison between two types of tissues was evaluated by assessing the presence of c alcium, Potassium, Iron, Copper and Zinc, as minor and trace elements. Results in this study indicate that relative values of Cu / Zn, P / K and also Ca and S in benign type were higher than those in malignant type, but the concentration of Fe and Zn in cancerous tissues was significantly higher than those for benign type. Results suggest significant elevation of Zinc in the pathological tissues. Cu/Zn ratio for both type of tissues are evaluated. The results show that this ratio in patients with breast cancer is significantly lower than the normal group. Selenium and Arsenic was not obtained in any of 17 samples. Most of the tissues of benign kind [Fibrocystic and Fibro adenoma] contain Cadmium. Calcium concentration in normal tissues is significantly higher than tumorous tissues

concentration of heavy trace elements in pigment and cholesterol human gallstones: comparative studies by PIXE analysis

The method of proton induced X-ray emission [PIXE] has been widely used as a sensitive technique to trace elemental analysis in both biological and medical fields. The sensitivity of this powerful method is in the order of ppm.The aim of this work is to analyze structural composition of 4 heavy trace elements with Z greater than 24 [Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn] in two kinds of gallstones and to compare the results for various ages of patients by PIXE quantitatively. Materials and methods: The pigment and cholesterole gallstones were obtained from 12 patients during surgical operations and were used for in vitro study. The age of the patients were between 22 and 78 years. Both cholesterol and pigmented types were analyzed for shell and center. The samples were bombarded using a 3.0 MeV van-de-Graff accelerator at nuclear research center of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran for the PIXE measurement. In pigment gallstones, the mean value of Mn, Fe, and Zn in shell is greater than in the center and Cu in the shell is smaller than center. In cholesterol gallstones, neither in the shell nor in center, Zn was not observed. The composition of Mn and Fe in center is greater than in shell. In the patients older than 40 years, the concentration of heavy trace elements increases, and those in cholesterol stones are nearly two times larger than in pigment stones. Comparison of two types of gallstones shows that the center of the pigment stones is very similar to cholesterol type.It is concluded that the origination of gallstone in human is common but formation and growth are different