Serum Iron, Copper, Zinc levels in bladder cancer patients in comparison with healthy Individuals

Despite the high prevalence and recurrence of bladder cancer, researches about the role of trace elements such as iron, copper and zinc in bladder cancer are limited in number. In the present study, the concentrations of Iron, Copper and Zinc, [Fe, Cu and Zn] were determined in the serum of patients with bladder cancer and compared with the level of these trace elements in healthy subjects. This case control study was conducted on 51 patients with bladder cancer and 58 healthy volunteers after matching for age, sex and smoking habits. After getting a written consent, samples were collected and the concentrations of Fe, Cu and Zn were measured. Comparisons were made using student t test. There was a significant decrease in mean Fe and Zn serum level in bladder cancer patients as compared to the control group [p <0.001]. In contrast serum Cu level were significantly higher in patients having bladder cancer than in the control group [p <0.001]. More over patients with bladder cancer had significantly higher Cu/Zn ratio than controls. The present study showed that the mean serum cu level was higher and the mean serum Zn and Fe level were lower in patients with bladder cancer than the control group. Further studies are required to demonstrate a possible cause-and effect relationship between these elements and bladder cancer

Bcl-2 protein expression in pulmonary specimens of sulfur mustard victims

Considering the role of sulfur mustard gas in development of acute and chronic pulmonary complications and the role of some genes including Bcl-2 in pulmonary fibrosis, we decided to study Bcl-2 gene expression in lung biopsy specimens of victims in comparison with normal lung. Lung biopsy specimens were taken from 13 sulfur mustard [SM] victims with pulmonary complication and were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin [H and E] and avidin-biotin methods. We used normal lung blocks from forensic medicine as the normal group. These blocks were treated and stained with the same procedure as the case group. Both groups' blocks were studied by a pathologist simultaneously. The percentage of macrophages in sulfur mustard victims' specimens was significantly lower than that of the control group. There was also a significant increase in lymphocytes of victims in comparison with the normal group. Neutrophil percentage and Bcl-2 protein in these cells showed no significant difference between the two groups. Bcl-2 protein in fibroblasts and epithelial cells of sulfur mustard victims was significantly higher than the control group. According to the results of this study in comparison with the results of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [IPF], pulmonary fibrosis can be confirmed as one of the late complications of SM victims. According to these results, upregulation of Bcl-2 protein and subsequent alveolar epithelial cell hyperplasia and proliferation of fibroblasts may be a mechanism for pulmonary fibrosis induced by mustard gas. It could be important for developing new strategies for the treatment of fatal complications of this chemical warfare

Effect of fluid temperature in intravenous fluid resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock

Treatment of hemorrhagic shock is the major problem in emergency surgery. Fluid therapy is one of the first steps but, the conflict has been over the temperature used for the fluid injected to the patient. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fluid temperature in intravenous fluid resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock. In this experimental study, 3 groups of 10 rabbits underwent hemorrhagic shock class III [mean arterial pressure = 40 mmHg] by catheter on femoral artery. Within 25 minutes, ringer lactate solutes with controlled temperaturesof 15°C, 25°C and 37°C were injected through femoral venous line. They were followed for 72 hours. In the lowest, middle and the highest fluid temperature group, mortality rate was 90%, 10% and 40%, respectively. Statistically significant difference was seen between the 15°C and 25°C resuscitation groups [P < 0.001]. Our findings showed possible benefit of room temperature as the optimal fluid temperature for fluid resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock