Relation between serum ferritin and liver and heart MRI T2* in beta thalassaemia major patients

There is a need for higly accurate non-invasive methods for assessing organ iron content in thalassaemia patients. This study evaluated the relation between serum ferritin level, liver enzyme levels and hepatitis C antibody and liver and heart iron deposition assessed by MRI T2 Data were obtained from the medical records of 156 thalassemia major patients in Tehran. There was a moderate negative correlation between serum ferritin and liver MRI T2 relaxation time [r= -0.535] and a weak negative correlation between serum ferritin and heart MRI T2 relaxation time [r= -0.361]. Hepatitis C infection and liver enzyme levels did not confound or modify the relation between ferritin and liver or heart MRI T2. Liver and heart MRI T2* readings were poorly correlated [r= 0. 281]. Routine evaluation of liver and heart iron content using MRI T2 is suggested to better evaluate the haemosiderosis status in thalassemia patients

Synthesis and radioprotective study of novel amino-alkyldithiocarbamic acid derivatives against gamma-irradiation in mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective capacity of some novel aminoalkylated dithiocarbamic acid potassium salts against gamma-irradiation in mice. Eight compounds containing 2-aminoethyl-, 3-aminopropyl-, 4-aminobutyl-, 5-aminopentyl-, 6-aminohexyl-, 7-aminoheptyl-, 8-aminooctyl and 9-aminononyl of dithiocarbamate derivatives were prepared. Male NMRI mice were injected intraperitoneally [IP] with a geometric progression of doses [300-1000 mg/kg], through the dose response range for lethal toxicity. To evaluate the radioprotecive activity, one-half of the toxic LD[50] of each compound were injected IP to groups of twenty mice, 30 minutes prior to gamma-irradiation. The treated animals were kept for 30 days, and the lethality was recorded each day. Among eight compounds of alkyl dithiocarbamic acid derivatives, 5-aminopentyl, 7-aminoheptyl, 8-aminooctyl and 9-aminononyl dithiocarbamic acid mono potassium salts are new compounds. All evaluated compounds showed a concentration dependent effect on the survival in mice. The LD[50] values were found to be more than 599 mg/kg. The percentages of 30-day survival of mice for 2-aminoethyl, 7-aminoheptyl and 8-aminooctyl dithiocarbamic acid derivatives were 7%, 40% and 13.5%, respectively, when injected 30 minutes before gamma-irradiation. Other compounds had no radioprotective effects. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the treated and control groups for the 7-aminoheptyl derivative [p<0.05]. Among the compounds investigated in this study, 7-aminoheptyl dithiocarbamate derivative showed more radioprotective effects in comparison with the others. Although it seems that the radioprotective effects in these derivatives correlate with the size of the alkyl chain, more experiments are required to support this hypothesis

Agreement determination between coronary calciumscoring and coronary stenosis significance on CT-angiography

The most important lesions in coronary artery disease [CAD] are coronary artery plaques, many of which are calcified. Multi-slice spiral CT [MSCT] scanners can concurrently perform coronary calcium scoring [Ca-Score] as a predictor of CAD and coronary CT-angiography [CCTA] as the determining factor in therapeutic decision-making. We aimed to determine the agreement of a Ca-Score more than 100 [based on Agatston technique] with coronary artery stenosis significance on CCTA. Using ECG-gated MSCT, 65 patients who were referred for CCTA were assessed both for their Ca-Score and a significant [>/= 50% diameter reduction] coronary stenosis, simultaneously. Their total Ca-Score were classified in three groups [a-O, b-less than 100, and c- >/= 100]. The severity of coronary stenosis was categorized to further three groups [1-lack of stenotic lesion, 2- presence of non-significant stenosis, and 3-presence of significant stenosis]. Of 65 patients referred for CCTA, 42 [64.61%] had no CAD, 8 [12.3%] had non-significant lesions' and 15 [23.09%] had significant stenoses. Forty-three [66.2%] out of 65 subjects had a zero. 14 [21.5%] had scores < 100, and 8 [12.3%] had >/= 100 Ca-Score. In the first group [Ca-score = 0], only one had significant stenosis; while 50% of the patients in the second group [Ca-score < 100] and 87.5% from the third group [Ca-score of >/= 100] had significant stenosis. Significant coronary stenosis has a moderate-to-good agreement with a Ca-Score of 100 or higher, compared to those with a Ca-Score of less than 100, and this was statistically significant [P < 0.0001]. In patients with a calcium score of 100 or more, performing CCTA may be advisable to assess the likelihood of significant CAD