Prognostic value of troponin T after elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Cardiac troponin T [cTnT] is a sensitive and specific marker of myocardial necrosis. Prognostic significance of isolated minor elevations of cTnT is a matter of debate .The aim of this study was to assess the impact of minor elevations of cTnT on major adverse cardiac events [MACE] following percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]. We measured cTnT levels before and after PCI and evaluated the outcomes of 112 patients with normal baseline cTnT and complex coronary artery disease who required nonemergency PCI. Elevations [more than 0.03ng/ml] in cTnT were seen in 39 patients [34.8%].The angiographic characteristics of patients with increased cTnT levels had borderline differences compared to those with normal post PCI cTnT levels. Over a mean follow-up duration of 22 months, myocardial infarction [p<0.01] and the combined rate of death, myocardial infarction and revascularization [p<0.001] were significantly higher in patients with increased levels of post PCI cTnT. Estimated 22-month MACE-free survival for patients with increased and normal cTnT levels were 66.7% and 93.2%, respectively. Isolated minor elevations in cTnT after elective PCI in complex coronary lesions affect long-term prognosis regarding death, myocardial infarction and the need for repeated revascularization procedures

[Assesing the result of exercise test on the patients with typical and atypical chest pain referring to the Mazandaran Cardiac Center in 2007]

The main signs of cardiac disease [particularly the coronary disease] was chest pain and the shortness of breath. ETT is a prognostic and diagnostic tool for assessing the ischemic heart patients. The aim of present study was to determine the results of applicating ETT for patients with typical and atypical chest pain complaints referring to the Mazandaran Cardiac Center 2007. This descriptive study was conducted on 500 patients with typical and non Typical pain referring to the heart centers of Mazandaran province. After the interview, examination and laboratory tests, attended by the researcher and cardiologist, the patients under went ETT [Exercise Tolerance Test] with Tread mill according to Bruce protocol [Bruce Protocol] in four steps. The present study showed the positive effect of exercise test in 80[16%] of cases. The positive test results of exercise test in the cases with typical heart pain was 25 times more than the cases with atypical heart pain. 43[53.75%] of the cases with positive test were male the majority of whom were [41caseses,51.25%] in age range of 51-65 years. 12.5% of cases with positive test and also 78.6% with negative test had atypical pain. getting serious signs and symptoms of various disease serious [especially of the typical and atypical chest pain] is among the main educational priorities for the prevention of cardiac infarction

[Relationship of serum ceruloplasmin and pre-eclampsia]

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy disorder which increases maternal and pre-natal morbidity and mortality. The incidence is about 5% and is influenced by pariety, genetic background, and environmental factors. At present, the sole treatment is termination. It is suitable to use antioxidants for pre-eclampsia prevention. The aim of this study is to measure the maternal serum ceruloplasmin and evaluation of changes presented in pre-eclamptic women VS. Non pre-eclamptic ones. This study is executed in a case-control method. 100 cases were selected through pregnant women bedridden from obstetrics-gynecologic and maternity ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari. After examination of exclusion criteria in each case and receiving consent, information was entered in the questionnaire. Venous blood samples were sent to laboratory to measure ceruloplasmin. Data was analyzed by independent t-test. The gestational age means in case and control groups were serially 36.01 +/- 2.90 and 37.86 +/- 2.82 weeks. The mean for systolic blood pressure for these two groups were serially 153.40 +/- 12.22 and 112.5 +/- 8.90 mm Hg. The average amount of serum ceruloplasmin in case group was significantly more than control group. 63.3% of women in the case group were in early pre-eclamptic phase and 36.7% of them were in late phase. 22% of women in this group had a history of pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancies and 16% additionally had a history of hypertension before pregnancy. 92% of women in the case group had an extra normal serum ceruloplasmin, while in the control group the number was 42%. The variables of Body mass Index, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure and ceruloplasmin showed a significant difference between case and control groups. The history of pre- eclampsia and hypertension were effective on the appearance of pre-eclampsia and increased in serum ceruloplasmin, can be considered as an early sign, while having a correlation with pre-eclampsia severity

[ study on specific igE against candida albicans in atopic dermatitis patients referred to boali hospital, Sari- Iran]

Candida albicans [C. albicans] as a micro flora of the human could be responsible for a continuous release of allergen and may be responsible for chronic atopic dermatitis [AD] in sensitive patients. Thus, in this study, we analyzed AD patients for total IgE and specific IgE, against C. albicans. A total of 120 AD patients [male 52 and female 68] were introduced in this study. The age range varied from 4 months to 60 years [mean about 12.9 years]. Serum total IgE was assayed by ELISA kit [RADIM]. Solid phase was captured by sandwich ELISA assay, using a micro well format for the determination of serum specific IgE to C. Albicans was used according to the manufacturer's instructions, [ALerCHEK Allergen specific human IgE]. Of the 120 AD patients, 37 subjects [30.8%] had total IgE higher than 100 IU/mL, 44 subjects [63.7%] 20-100IU/mL and 39 subjects [32.5%] less than 20 IU/mL. 9 [7.5%] of the patients had specific IgE against C. albicans. Among the patients who were positive for specific IgE to C. albicans, 6 [66.7%] were women. The result of our study on serum total IgE in AD patients is concordant with other studies from different countries. In comparison to other studies, our AD patients showed less frequency of specific IgE against Candida albicans. The explanations for the variation in the results obtained in various studies could be due to the age of patients, severity of disease, difference in the antigen preparation, different methods for IgE analysis and total IgE level

[Assessment of bus drivers' exposure to respirable particles [PM10] in Sari]

High concentrations of respirable particles may cause high incidence of respiratory diseases and mortality in public populations and in particular in public transportation workers. Epidemiological exposure studies showed that respirable particles that emitted from traffic sources have more potential effects on more incidence of hospitalization or mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. In this study personal exposures of bus drivers to respirable particles [PM10] and factors that caused high personal exposure were studied in Sari city. In this study, a calibrated real time monitor [MicroDust Pro] with a personal sampling pump with 2 lit/min flow rate were used to measure Sari's bus drivers personal exposure to PM10 concentrations on 3 main routs. This study was carried out during a one calendar year and all possible effective factors on personal exposure were recorded in a questionnaire. The mean personal exposures to PM10 concentrations among bus drivers were varied in different months. Exposure to PM10 concentrations were higher in autumn and winter and increased to 300 micro gm[-3] in some days. Personal exposures to these particles were increased in the evening and on high traffic flow routs. Other factors such as rainy weather and temperature, number of passengers, bus' model year, picking up and dropping off the passengers were the most effectiveg factors on driver's personal exposures. Bus drivers' exposure to respirable particles PM10 in Sari was varied in different time. It was due to entrance of outdoor particulate air pollutants into the bus during the picking up and getting off the passengers and resuspension of settled fine particles

Quality of life among multiple Sclerosis patients

MS is one of the progressive and chronic demyelinative disorders involving active members of society. The study of quality of life in these patients could decrease relieve some disabilities and promotes residual abilities to maximal levels. Regarding relatively high prevalence of MS in Mazandaran province, this study was designed to measure the quality of life in Multiple sclerosis patients living in Mazandaran Province. In this discriptive study, the community of research included members of Mazandaran Multiple Sclerosis Association [MMSA]. The census sampling method was used. The volunteers [101 patients] were assessed from october 2005 to March 2006. Assessment tool for data collection was standard questionnaire SF-36. This questionnaire consists of 36 questions and its validity has already been determined in many countries including Iran and it has high reliability [alpha chronbach 0.77-0.90]. Clinical manifestations and the severity of the disease were evaluated with history and physical examination taken by Neurologist and using EDSS criteria. The results showed that 76% of the patients were females and 26% were males. The age range was 18-60 years [mean age 33.27 +/- 8.31]. The emergence of disease was at age 12-54 years [mean age 27.12 +/- 8.03]. About%7 of the patients had positive family history of multiple sclerosis. The mean score [based on 100] of general health, physical health, mental health, vivacity, social health, and physical pain were, respectively, 41.34 +/- 10.22, 54.75 +/- 30.25, 53.25 +/- 22.03, 54.75 +/- 24.44, 56.62 +/- 20.96, and 35.75 +/- 31.68.. In this study, the quality of life was relatively good in all aspects. This may be due to mildness of disease in majority of the patients, low age at time of disease emergence and shorter duration of disease

[Investigation into allergenic components of cladosporium herbarum by immunoblotting technique]

Numerous studies on Clasporidium herbarum antigens have shown that these antigens play a major role in produceing specific IgE in atopic individuals and exacerbate the patients' clinical conditions like atopic dermatitis. Thus, in this study allergenic components of clasporium herbarum were investigated using immunoblotting technique. Cladosporium herbarum was cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar. The grown mycelia were harvested and ruptured by liquid nitrogen and glass beads. Samples were centrifuged and the supernatant was collected as crude extract. The crude extract was separated through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. The separated proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose filter and then soaked through atopic dermatitis patients' sera. The responsive bands to IgE were revealed by antihuman IgE antibodies conjugated with enzyme in chromogenic substrate. In SDS-PAGE, the crude extract of Cladosporium herbarum showed 16 different protein bands with molecular weight between 15.1 and 110 kDa. The bands with 15.1, 18.4, 25.1, 36.3, 45 and 54 kDa were identified as strong bands. In immunoblotting, the bands with molecular weights of 15.1, 18.4, 42 and 110 kDa showed a strong reaction with IgE sera from patients with atopic dermatitis. The results of this study showed that the strong bands in SDS-PAGE had the highest reaction with anti- Cladosporium herbarum IgE antibody in immunoblotting technique. Thus, we speculate the intensity of bands can affect IgE response. Like other studies we contend that Cladosporium herbarum antigen can initiate allergic reaction in atopic dermatitis patients

[Serological survey of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in goats, sheep and cattle in slaughter houses of Mazandaran province, Iran]

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. In addition to economic losses, this disease is transfer able to human and regarding the special ecological conditions of this parasite in nature of Mazandaran province, it is necessary to determine the situation of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of antibodies against T. gondii in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in official slaughterhouses in Mazandaran province, in 2004. To determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in slaughtered animals, in a descriptive cross-sectional study, 639 blood samples were obtained from cattle, sheep and goats between December 2004 and April 2005, from the three main geographical zones of Mazandaran province, Iran. Nine slaughterhouses were randomly selected in Western, Central and Eastern regions. Sera were extracted from 5mL venous blood samples, by centrifugation at 2000xg for 10 min, and were stored at -20°C prior to testing. Sera were screened for T. gondii antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody test [IFAT] and serum samples showing a titre of 1:16 were further diluted to determine the end point. Data were analyzed using Chi-square [X[2]] test. Of the 639 serum samples examined, 27.5% [176/639] showed positive titers equal or higher than 1:16 by IFAT. The highest frequency of antibody titres [1:16 titre] were found in sheep and the least in cattle [9%]. The highest infection rates in cattle were seen in western region with 5.5% antibody titres of 1:16. In three regions, 35% of sheep sera showed positive titers with high frequency of 1:16 antibody titre [17.3%] in Western region. Thirty percent of goat sera in 3 regions were seropositive and the highest infection rate was seen in 1:16 titre [18.5%] in Western region. The results of this study show that the presence of T. gondii specific antibodies for sheep and goats in Northern Iran is high, and the consequent risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis from human consumption of sheep and goat meat may be greater in this region

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection and associated factors in addicts imprisoned at Khezrabad prison, Sari]

Though incarcerated populations are at a high risk of developing hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection, prisoners are not routinely screened for HCV infection. Approximately, 1 in 4 of the nearly 2 million prisoners in the U.S. is infected with HCV. Injection drug abusers are currently the main risk group. Among intravenous drug abusers over the world, the prevalence of HCV varies from 50-90% with an annual incidence of 10-30%. Prisons are a high risk environment for hepatitis C infection because of high incidence of drug abuse and high risk sexual activities. Serologic evidences show that HCV infection is present in one out of every three prisoners. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis C infection and its associated factors among addicted prisoners in Khezrabad prison of Sari. This was a cross - sectional study done in September 2001 at the Khezrabad prison for addicts in Sari. 312 addicts participated in the study and were selected by simple random sampling method. Their blood samples were tested by third generation enzyme immunoassay [EIA-3: sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%] at Sari's blood transfusion center. The data was collected via a questionnaire and interview. 230 prisoners [74%] completed the questionnaires. Associated factors of Hepatitis C infection were compared in 82 anti-HCV positive addicts [the affected group] and 148 anti-HCV negative addicts [the unaffected group]. There were no significant differences about confounding variables between the two groups. Statistical analysis was done by chi[2], t test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 312 addicted prisoners, 96 [30.8%] were anti-HCV positive. Major associated factors with Hepatitis C infection in the affected group included; duration of addiction [mean 174 months], duration of imprisonment [mean 48 months], methods of drug usage [injection 82% and intranasal 44%], length of alcohol consumption for more than five years [60%], tattooing [66%], shared usage of needles [31%] and razors [53%], multiple sexual partners [>74%] and the type of drugs [especially heroin 90% and hashish. 64%] [p<0.05] On multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant independent risk factors for HCV infection included tattooing [OR 100, 95% CI], multiple sexual partners[OR4.97,95%CI]and history of surgery[OR 6.23,95% CI ] . Hepatitis C infection is highly prevalent in addicted prisoners and high risk and unsafe behaviors are the main factors of contamination

[Intestinal parasite infections in cattle breeders in rural regions of Babol town during 2003]

Parasitic infections, particularly of intestinal protozoan are very important for hygienic and medical points of views specially in the north of Iran in different ages and professional groups. The aim of this study was to determine intestinal parasitic infection in cattle breeders from rural areas of Babol town. In this descriptive study, stool samples were collected from 181 persons who were in contact with cattle [sheep and cows], lasted for one years. Samples were taken from each person under study and examined. Data were collected and analyzed by Chi-square and T-test statistically. this study indicated that the highest rate of infection was observed in persons aged 41-60 years and 62.4% of the cases were man. Rate of contamination to 13 species parasites in total samples were 57 [31.5%]. Highest rates of infection in infected persons were B. hominis and E. coli and G. lamblia. Rate of infection in both sexes to intestinal parasites especially intestinal protozoans in infected persons was different. Highest rate of infection to intestinal parasites was observed in illiterate persons. Infection with different types of pathogenic and non-pathogenic protozoan, particularly to blastocystosis and giardiasis indicating the significance of these infections for the health of the cattle breeders in rural regions of North of Iran. At present attention must be paid to protozoan as infection agent, which is having significant role in intestinal disorder