[Cross cultural adaptation, validity and Reliability study of the Persian version of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons [ASES] questionnaire for evaluation of shoulder function in injured athletes]

The translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons [ASES] were carried out in accordance with published guidelines. The study was conducted on 100 athletes [25.96 +/- 5.81 years], which suffered from different shoulder disorders. When the translation and cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire was carried out on the standardized method, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire booklet including the DASH, the Short Form General Health Survey [SF-36] and ASES questionnaires. In addition, 30 randomly selected patients were asked to complete the ASES questionnaire 48 hours later for the second time. After data collection the Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software. The Cronbach's alpha was used to indicate internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for ASES. Test-retest reliability was quantified by use of the intraclass correlation coefficient. It was 0.91 for ASES questionnaire. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used for the questionnaire validation study. The DASH questionnaire showed high correlation of ICC=0.78 with ASES. The ASES showed moderate correlation of 0.48 to 0.62 with those of the various scales of the SF-36. The Iranian ASES showed good reliability and validity and can be used for shoulder-specific patient self-assessment

[Calcium absorption from calcium acetate in comparison with calcium carbonate in healthy women]

Osteoporosis is a life threatening disease. One of the important etiologies of osteoporosis is low calcium intake from daily dietary intakes, making calcium salt administration in pharmacological form or as a food additive highly recommendable as a protective mechanism againt this disease, especially in women. Calcium acetate is a water soluble agent whereas calcium carbonate [which is routinely used in pharmacological forms of calcium salts] is not easily dissolved in water; hence we decided to compare the bioavailability of calcium carbonate to that of calcium acetate. During a clinical trial study, 20 normal female volunteers with the appropriate inclusion criteria were enrolled. On the day of study, fasting urine specimens were collected from all subjects, and 2 hours after a meal, a solution of calcium carbonate was administered to all participants and then, again, urine specimens were collected after 4 hours. After a 10 day washout period, this test was repeated with calcium acetate. The results were analyzed with paired t test. The mean increase in urine calcium was 38.55 +/- 6.1 mg and 36.33 +/- 6.14 mg after administration of calcium carbonate or calcium acetate respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between calcium absorption from calcium carbonate and calcium acetate. Regarding the beneficial effects of calcium acetate as a soluble salt, in comparison with calcium carbonate and based on the results of this study indicating the similarity in calcium absorption from these two salts, calcium acetate can be administered as an appropriate substance for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Indeed it can be used in enriching the liquid comestibles

Study of rose bengal-induced cell death in melanoma cells in the absence of light

Melanoma is among the top six cancers as a cause of death and morbidity. Unfortunately there has been little progress in the medical treatment of metastatic melanoma, because of its resistance to current chemotherapeutic agents. In view of this, there is much interest in the identification of new agents for the treatment of melanoma. Rose Bengal [RB] has been used as a systemic diagnostic of hepatic function, ophthalmic diagnostic and photosensitiser in photodynamic treatment. In the present study, effects of RB, not as a photosensitiser, was tested in melanoma cells in the absence of light. Human melanoma cell lines, Me4405, Me1007, IgR3, Mel-FH, Mel-RM, Mel-CV, MM200, Sk-Mel-28 and fibroblast cells were cultured in DMEM medium. Cell death was quantitated by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were determined using PI staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry [sub-G1 peak]. The result showed RB could induce pronounced cell death in different melanoma cell lines but not in fibroblast cells. This toxicity was predominantly induced by non-apoptotic cell death but in some cell lines, RB could also induce apoptotic cell death. RB may be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of melanoma in the future

[Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the management of pediatric renal calculi]

Pediatric renal calculus disease has been a management dilemma. Achieving excellent results with percutaneous nephrolithotomy [PCNL] in adults have led to use this technique in children. Our experience with this procedure in pediatric age group is reviewed and discussed. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, we retrospectively analyzed case records of 39 patients younger than 15 years who underwent PCNL between September 2000 and April 2004. Antegrade percutaneous access was obtained in all patients and the tract was dilated to 24F. Pneumatic lithotripsy and forceps extraction were used with a rigid nephroscope to disintegrate and remove stones. In all patients, a nephrostomy tube was placed intraoperatively, and a plain abdominal X-ray and nephrostogram were obtained postoperatively. Complete clearance was achieved in 36 patients [92.3%] and relative clearance in 3 patients [7.7%]. Of these, 33 [91.7%] required a single tract, while 2 [5.6%] required two tracts and only one patient [2.8%] required 3 tracts. The greatest stone diameter in 11 [30.5%] patients was less than 20 mm and in 20 [55.6%] patients was more than 20 mm or multiple; 5 [13.9%] patients had staghorn stones. Stone location was lower calyx in 2 [5.1%], upper calyx in 3 [7.7%], renal pelvis in 15 [38.5%], and staghorn or multiple in 19 [48.7%] subjects. Open surgery was not required in any patient, and patients with residual stone after second look surgery were sent for SWL treatment. There was no contiguous organ injury, and no open surgery or blood transfusions were required. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is safe and effective in children, and should be considered as a viable management option. However, staghorn and multiple renal calculi may require alternative managements