Cardiovascular risk factors and nutritional intake are not associated with ultrasound-defined increased carotid intima media thickness in individuals without a history of cardiovascular events

Carotid ultrasound appears to be useful in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. In this study, we have assessed the carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] in a group of individuals without a history of cardiovascular events. A sample of 431subjects [189 [43.9%] males and 242 [56.1%] females] was obtained from an urban population using a stratified-cluster method in Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerosis disorder study. None of the subjects had a history of the cardiovascular event. Carotid artery duplex ultrasound was used to determine the CIMT in all subjects, and to identify those with an abnormal value [CIMT [+]; i.e., CIMT >/= 0.8 mm]. Dietary intake of participants was assessed using a questionnaire for 24-h dietary recall. The relationship between anthropometric, biochemical and dietary data and CIMT were assessed. The mean age of subjects was 48.7 +/- 8.0 years. Of the 431 patients, 118 [27.4%] were found to be CIMT [+]. Of the cardiovascular parameters assessed, only age [odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]], 1.11 [0.56-4.34]; P < 0.01] and male gender [OR [95% CI], 1.14 [0.63-2.23]; P < 0.05] were significant independent predictors of ultrasound defined CIMT. Crude and total energy adjusted intake were not associated with the presence of CIMT [+]. It appears that within a relatively young Iranian population of individuals without a history of cardiovascular event, the presence of CIMT [+] defined by duplex ultrasound cut-off value of >/= 0.8 mm, did not associate with several modifiable cardiovascular risk factors or measures of dietary intake

effects of aminophylline on clinical recovery and bispectral index in patients anesthetized with total intravenous anaesthesia

Aminophylline, which is clinically used as a bronchodilator, antagonizes the action of adenosine, so it can be used to shorten the recovery time after general anesthesia. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis that the administration of aminophylline leads to an increase in bispectral index [BIS] and clinical recovery in patients anesthetized with total intravenous anesthesia [TIVA]. Ninety two patients who were scheduled for elective inguinal herniorrhaphy were enrolled in this study. All patients were premedicated with midazolam and morphine. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2.5 mg/kg and remifentanil 2.5 microg/kg without muscle relaxant. For maintenance of anesthesia we used propofol 100 microg/kg/min, remifentanil 0.2 microg/kg/min and 100% oxygen with stable BIS readings in the range 40-60. After skin closure, aminophylline 4 mg/kg was given to Group A and an equivalent volume of normal saline to Group P. BIS values, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and End tidal CO2 [ETco2] were determined. Time to eye opening, extubation time and response to command were measured. There were no significant differences in SpO2, ETco2 and anesthesia time. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure were found to be statistically higher [p<0.001] in Group A. Time to eye opening, hand grip and extubation were significantly shorter [p<0.001] in Group A. Bispectral index scores were significantly higher in group A. Injection of aminophylline at emergence time led to significant increase in BIS and shortening recovery time from anesthesia

effect of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field on in vitro fertilization success rate in NMRI mice

The effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields [EMF] on reproduction systems have been widely debated. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether low frequency EMF could ameliorate the in vitro fertilization success rate in Naval medical research institute [NMRI] Mice. In this randomized comparative animal study, ten NMRI mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups [control and experimental].10 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] was injected intraperitoneally to both groups in order to stimulate ovulating, and ovums were then aspirated and kept in KSOM [modified version of sequential simplex optimization medium with a higher K+ concentration] culture medium. Metaphase II ovums were separated, and sperms obtained by "swim out" method were added to metaphase II ovums in the culture medium. The experimental group was exposed to 1.3 millitesla pulsed electromagnetic field at 4 kilohertz frequency for 5 hours. To assess the efficacy, we considered the identification of two-pronuclear zygote [2PN] under microscope as fertilizing criterion. Total number of collected ovums in the control and experimental groups was 191 and 173, respectively, from which 58 [30.05%] and 52 [30.36%] ovums were collected from metaphase II, respectively. In vitro fertilization [IVF] success rate was 77% in extremely low frequency- pulsed electromagnetic field [ELF-PEMF] for exposed group [experimental], whereas the rate was 68% for control group. Despite increased percentile of IVF success rate in exposed group, there was no statistically significant difference between 2 groups, but this hypothesis has still been stated as a question. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different EMF designs are suggested

Concept of atherosclerosis velocity: Is it a better measure of cardiovascular risk?

In most cases atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of vascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. It is believed that endothelial injury is the earliest change in the artery wall and that this precedes the formation of lesions of atherosclerosis. Recent developments in the field of atherosclerosis have led to a renewed interest in the recognition of the parameter of time in the atherosclerosis process. We believe that the factors determining the time-dependent rate of atherosclerosis progression are important, and it is in this context that we wish to propose for the first time the term "atherosclerosis velocity". In this review article, we summarize the existing evidence regarding atherosclerosis velocity and discuss the importance of this issue

[Effects of doxepin on physiology of reproduction in adult male rats]

Doxepin is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Considering the importance of this drug in treating some nervous diseases, its side effects seem to be important on the endocrine axis. In this study, the effects of doxepin on the concentration of testosterone, FSH and LH level and spermatogenesis were studied. This experimental study was done on 40 male Wistar rats that were divided into 5 groups of 8. The control group received nothing. The sham group was given distilled water as a solvent. The experimental groups were injected 35, 70 and 140 mg/kg of the drug orally for 21 days, respectively. The blood samples were taken at 22[th] day and the concentration of testosterone, FSH and LH were measured by RIA method. In addition, at the 22[th] day, the testes were separated and histological changes were studied among experimental, sham and control groups. The results were evaluated by using ANOVA and Duncan tests. The results showed that 140 mg/kg of doxepin reduced serum testosterone level, while it increased FSH and LH levels [p<0.05]. Histological investigations of the testes showed a decline on spermatogenesis chain in dose of 140 mg/kg of the drug. This study showed that doxepin decreases the concentration of testosterone level and the number of spermatogenic cells and increases FSH and LH levels at high doses. Therefore, it may weaken the function of reproductive activity

Prevalence of chest wall deformities in a large sample of Iranian children aged 7-14 years

Pectus excavatum [PE] and pectus carinatum [PC] are two common chest deformities. We investigated the prevalence of chest wall deformities including PE and PC in Iranian population. 25587 children and adolescents aged 7-14 years consisting of 13586 [53.1%] males and 12001 [46.9%] females were studied using cluster-stratified sampling method. Screening was clinical and based on descriptive findings. Suspected subjects with chest wall deformity were referred to the expert surgeon to confirm the diagnosis. The prevalence of chest deformities in our population was 204 [1.03%]. The mean age of subjects was 10.2 +/- 3.0 years. Of these subjects 124 [0.49%] [74 [54%] males and 50 [42%] females]] had PE and 80 [0.31%] [58 [72.5%] males and 22 [17.5%]females]] had PC. The prevalence of PE seems to be very high in Iran. Special attention must be paid to diagnose and treat this problem in our population