Intra-operative assessment of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer

Lymph node status remains an important prognostic indicator for survival in breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become the standard method of assessment of clinically node negative breast cancers. Economic implications as well as patient related factors have lead to the development a number of intra-operative techniques. Review of the emerging trends in the last 4 years show that although routine histological examination remains the gold standard in most centres intra-operative assessment remains the most favourable, timely and cost-effective option to analyse sentinel nodes. Molecular techniques appear to be far more superior to other histological tests such as Frozen Section or Touch Imprint Cytology. Emerging research suggests that molecular techniques can be used to predict the presence of non sentinel node metastasis

[ effect of lavender essence smelling during labor on cortisol and serotonin plasma levels and anxiety reduction in nulliparous women]

Labor conditions cause stress and anxiety specifically in nulliparous women and hence the chance of a normal vaginal delivery is reduced. According to some studies lavender scent improves mood and reduces stress and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lavender scent on anxiety status in nulliparous women and also to determine changes in plasma cortisol, serotonin and 5- hydroxyl indol acetic acid [5-HIAA] concentrations. In this study 121 nulliparous women with gestational age >37 weeks and cervical dilatation of 3-4 cm, referring to labor room of Zeinabieh and Hafez hospitals in Shiraz were devided into case group [N=63] and control group [N=58]. The case group smelled lavender essential oil for 1 hour. In both groups anxiety changes were determined before and after aromatherapy by Spielberger questionnaire, and at the same times pulse rate, blood pressure and plasma cortisol, serotonin, and 5-HIAA concentrations were determined by ELISA. Anxiety status and hormone levels were the same in both groups at the beginning of the experiment. Lavender decreased significantly anxiety and cortisol concentration while increased plasma serotonin and 5-HIAA concentrations. The difference between cortisol concentration before and after the aromatherapy in the test group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Lavender scent did not affect blood pressure and pulse. Aromatherapy with lavender improves anxiety status during labor in nulliparous women and decreases cortisol secretion from adrenal gland and increases serotonin secretion from GI tract

[Effect of magnetic field with 100 microT density on rat bone resorption]

Electromagnetic fields are present everywhere in our environment with various intensities, so, investigation about their effects on living organism is very important. The aim of this experiment study to investigate the effect of magnetic field on bone resorption, PTH and calcitonin concentration and their correlations. In this experimental research, 30 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 3 groups. Test group animals, were exposed to magnetic field [100 micro T, 50 Hz], 4 hours per day for a period of 42 days. Experimental condition for control-1 group was the same as test group, except that, they were not exposed. Animals of control-2 group were killed at the first day of experiment [day 0]. Total left femoral bone calcium and phosphorus content and its fracture energy was measured at days 28 and 42 in control-1 and test group and on day 0 in control-2 group. However, serum calcium, phosphorus, PTH and calcitonin concentration were measured on day 0, the first day of exposure, and thereafter once per two weeks. Total bone calcium content in test group was significantly lower than control-1 and 2 groups, and bone fracture energy showed a slightly decrease. On the other hand, serum calcium and phosphorus concentration increased significantly on 28[th] and 42[nd] days compared to day 0. There was a decrement in serum PTH concentration and increment in serum calcitonin concentration during the exposure period. Our results suggested that magnetic field could have a direct effect on bone resorption, and observed changes in PTH and calcitonin were in good correlation with serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations [negative feed back] and these changes also prevent further increase in bone resorption

Low intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment increases rabbit radial fracture healing

In order to study the effect of ultrasound [US] on bone healing, a complete transverse fracture was made in the right radius of adult male rabbits by a cutter. 52 rabbits were used: group 1, control [n=17]; group 2, test [n=15]; group 3, intact [n=1] and group 4 [n=12] who were examined only for evaluation of the cutter effects in detail. 7 animals were operated with a Gigli saw. The test group received US treatment 0.5 W/cm [2], 1MHz, 2 msec on-8 msec off for 10 min/day, from the day after surgery until complete fusion was observed. Radiological studies indicated that mean healing duration and rate of healing was significantly more in the test group than in controls. Histological evaluation showed the presence of ossified callus at week 3 in the test group, but in controls fibrous callus was still seen at week 5 after surgery. Bone mineral analyses by stereoelectron microscope showed that the mineral component of the treated bone reverts to normal, similar to the composition of intact bone, and sooner than that of the control. However, our results revealed no deleterious effects of US on treated and untreated ipsilateral and contralateral bones during the experiment or one month after complete fusion of the bones, at which time US was terminated