Penile preservation for male urethral cancer

Tumors of the male urethra are rare, comprising<1% of urologic malignancies. This is a report of a 44-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of gross initial hematuria and dysuria. After examining the patient, we found a firm mass extending 1 cm within the proximal bulbar urethra and a pathologic report of moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. He underwent excision of the involved urethra followed by end-to-end bulbar urethroplasty. External beam radiation was performed at the dose of 6000 Rad, in 33 courses. The patient was followed by surveillance protocol and, no evidence of urethral or bladder tumor was found in the 2-year follow-up with bi-annual cystoscopic examination

[Electrocardiographic changes due to hyperkalemia in patients with acute and chronic renal failure undergoing chronic hemodialysis]

Hyperkalemia is a common disorder among renal failure patients and is considered as an important internal medicine emergency. On the other hand, considering the non-specific symptoms of hyperkalemia and its similarity to the underlying diseases' symptoms, the occurrence of dangerous side effects is probable. One of the most important effects is on myocardium. Considering the immature mechanism of potassium conformity in confrontation with hyperkalemia in Acute Renal Failure [ARF] patients, the toxic effects of hyperkalemia occurs in lower potassium levels. The aim of this study is comparing the EKG changes due to hyperkalemia in patients with acute and chronic renal failure undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The recent study was an analytic cross-sectional one performed on patients hospitalized in hemodialysis ward in Hashemi Nejad, Shohadaye-hafte- tir and Rasoul Akram hospitals, during 1382-1383. The serum electrolyte levels and EKG changes of 138 patients with End Stage Renal Disease [ESRD] who were under chronic hemodialysis and 91 patients with ARF, who were hospitalized in different wards, were measured and evaluated, using SPSS V.11 software and t and Chi Square tests Among 229 patients, 138 [60%] were ESRD patients who were under chronic hemodialysis and 91 [40%] had acute renal failure. The mean potassium level in ARF and ESRD patients were 5.66 +/- 1.2 and 5.77 +/- 0.91 mE/l which did not differ significantly [p=0.4]. In EKG evaluations, the mean height of T wave, R wave and T/R ratio in ARF patients were 6.3 +/- 2.4 mm, 5.7 +/- 2.1 mm and 1.3 +/- 0.9 mm respectively. These data in ESRD patients were 6 +/- 2.2 mm, 5.6 +/- 2.3 mm and 1.2 +/- 0.78 mm. No significant difference was seen among two groups [P = 0.3, 0.8 and 0.7]. In ARF and ESRD patients, there was a significant relationship between peaked tall T wave frequency and hyperkalemia severity [p<0.001]. In the simultaneous presence of hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia, peaked tall T wave frequency, mean of R wave height and T/R ratio in ARF and ESRD groups were not significantly different. On the other hand, in the coincidence of hyperkalemia and hyponatremia peaked tall T wave frequency and T/R ratio in ARF and ESRD groups were significantly different. [P <0.05] Severe hyperkalemia, hyperkalemia in the setting of ARF and the simultaneous presence of hyperkalemia and hyponatremia may increase the probability of cardiac changes. These groups of patients who undergo hemodialysis need vigorous care considering the cardiac complications

[Safety and efficacy of anticholinergic and alpha-blocker combination therapy in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Although voiding symptoms are classically related to BPH, as many as 50% of patients can experience irritative symptoms. We compared safety and efficacy of combination therapy using alpha-blocker with anticholinergic agents with tamsulosin alone. We compared anticholingergic and alpha-blocker combination therapy versus alpha-blocker alone in BPH patients with dominant irritative symptoms in a clinical trial during 2006. Eighty four patients who fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups of tamsulosin monotherapy versus tamsulosin and an anticholinergic agent combination therapy. Therapeutic efficacy and safety were analyzed using international prostate symptom score [IPSS] and residual urine volume. Total IPSS was significantly improved in both groups. We considered significant improvements in total IPSS were also seen for the combination therapy group [P=0.0008 within group], but not for the monotherapy group. At the end of treatment, median PVR was not significantly higher for the co-therapy group [51.6 mL] than for the monotherapy group [47.0 mL] [P=0.173]. There was no retention in either group. Combination of alpha-blocker and anticholinergics in BPH patients with dominant irritative symptoms is a reasonable and safe therapeutic option without any increase in urinary retention rate

Predictors of malnutrition among Zahedan's children, age ranging from 2-5 years old in 2007-2008

Periodical evaluation of anthropometric indicators is one of the best methods for monitoring of children's nutritional status and also is an appropriate information resource for the health system of the countries. The purpose of this study was assessing prevalence and predictors of three anthropometric indices, underweight, stunting and wasting among 2-5 year old Children in Zahedan, 2007-2008. This descriptive analytjcal study was conducted on 1245 children [2-5 years old] in Zahedan, 2007-2008. Samples were selected from 5 different districts in Zahedan. Data were collected using records and interviews with mothers. In this study, wasting [weight for height], stunting [height for age] and underweight [weight for age] were evaluated based on Z score = -2.5. Data were analyzed using independent T-test, ANOVA, Chi square and linear logistic regression. In this study, the prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweighting were found as 4.2%, 7.6% and 3.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that wasting had a significant relation with birth weight and birth interval. In addition, stunting had relation with birth weight, mothers' educational level, fathers'job, nutritional status, infection history, birth interval and mothers' age. Underweight showed significant relation with sex, birth weight, nutritional status, infection history, birth interval and mothers' age [P<0.05]. In multiple analysis, birth interval demonstrated significant relation with wasting and birth weight, mothers' age had significant relation with stunting, birth weight and birth interval and finally, mothers' age had significant relation with underweight [P<0.05]. Considering to results obtained from this study, the most important factors related to the three above mentioned anthropometric indices are birth weight, birth interval and mothers' age. Therefore; improving these variables, may help decreasing the prevalence of malnutrition among children

[Prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a rural area of Settat, Morocco]

We evaluated the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a rural population of Settat and its relationship with intestinal parasitosis and living conditions. The sample comprised 336 subjects living in 3 clusters. Rhinitis was evaluated using the ISAAC questionnaire. Prevalence of rhinitis was 37.8%. It was higher in those aged 15-49 years, illiterate subjects, active smokers, those presenting with overweight and those with hypereosinophilia. It was significantly lower in children < 10 years. Rhinitis was associated with sibship size and literacy, but not with intestinal parasitosis and helminth infections