[Evaluation of the validity of two hemoglobinometry methods for measurement of hemoglobin levels in whole blood donors in Yazd, 2010-2011]

Hemoglobin screening methods before blood donation need to be not only simple, rapid and inexpensive but also sensitive for detection of both low and high hemoglobin levels to prevent false rejection of potential donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of two methods of hemoglobinometry in blood donors. In this cross sectional study, 198 blood donors were randomly selected. The hemoglobin levels of two blood samples taken by means of a single finger stick were determined by Hemocue 201+ and Hemocontrol and hemoglobin level of a venous blood sample was measured by Cobas hematology analyzer as standard method. Venous hemoglobin range of 12.5-17.9 g/dl was regarded as inclusion criteria for blood donation. The sensitivity, specificity and correlation between reference method and each of the hemoglobinometers were assessed. Data analysis was performed by means of correlation tests, regression analysis and paired t-test. Mean hemoglobin levels measured by Cobas, Hemocue and Hemocontrol were 15.9 +/-1.68, 16.28 +/-1.91 and 16.30 +/-196 g/dl, respectively. Hemoglobin levels measured by hemoglobinometers were higher than that measured by the standard reference. This difference was not significant in low hemoglobin levels, contrary to high hemoglobin levels. Each of the two methods showed significant correlation with standard method when hemoglobin levels were lower than normal limit. Increased hemoglobin levels led to decreased correlation coefficient which was not significant with hemoglobin levels higher than 18g/dl. Our study results showed that these heomoglobinometers were not valid for screening high hemoglobin levels in blood donors and a large number of potential donors would be falsely rejected. Further studies to find valid methods are recommended

[Effects of hydro alcoholic ginger extracts on the body weight, testis weight and spermatogenesis in male rats undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide]

Cyclophosphamide is used as an anti cancer medicine in chemotherapy. This is an alkalizing medicine and causes the binding of DNA strands, breaking of DNA and control of protein synthesis and RNA. The side effects of this medicine include lack of appetite, nausea, reduction in activity of sexual lymph nodes, causing amenorrhea, azoospermia and oligospermia. Ginger includes many compounds, some of which are shogaols, gingerols, pyrogallols and sesquiterpenes. Ginger has anti nauseating, anti cancer, anti oxidant effects and eliminates free radicals. This medicine is used along with cyclophosphamide to reduce its destructive side effects in the body. For 21 days, the rates were fed with ginger and cyclophosphamide. After 21 days, the animals were weighed and rendered unconscious. Their testes were removed and tissue samples were provided from their tests. The results showed that cyclophosphamide alone reduces body weight, testes weight and spermatogenesis as compared to the control group. In other experimental groups that were fed with ginger and cyclophosphamide, increased dosage of ginger increased the body weight, the testes weight and spermatogenesis in comparison to other experimental groups. It seems that compounds present in ginger are anti tumoral and control the production of active metabolites. Therefore, if administered together with Cyclophosphamide, it can be useful and effective in patients undergoing chemotherapy

[Effect of breakfast composition on memory of primary school children in Ahwaz]

While missing breakfast has been known to result in declines in cognitive function, not all studies show positive effects of breakfast consumption on cognitive function. Differences in breakfast composition may account for some of the contradictory results across studies. However, since we could not find any published study from Iran investigating the effect of breakfast composition on cognitive performance, this study designed to assess the effect of 2 common Iranian breakfast foods [high carbohydrate, high protein] on the cognitive performance of elementary school children. Fifty-one well-nourished children [27 girls] aged 9-11 years took part in the present study. Children consumed one of 2 breakfasts [subjects] or took no breakfast [controls] in a randomized cross-over design with one week in between for a wash-out period. The two breakfasts were high carbohydrate [60%] and high protein [25%], similar in energy and fat, but differing in carbohydrate and protein composition. Cognitive performance was assessed prior to and 30 and 120 minutes after breakfasts, using a selection of tests from the CDR standard computerized assessment system. Statistical analysis was conducted by using SPSS [version 15] and P<0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results indicated that all 3 treatments [high carbohydrate, high protein, fasted state] were followed by decline in cognitive performance in both sexes, with no significant differences between the 2 groups, in most of the tasks. Our results did not show the effect of breakfast composition on the memories of well-nourished children and further research should address the extent to which different types of breakfast influence different domains of cognitive function. Also quality and quantity of breakfast should be assessed besides cognition, because of their effect on mood

Flowcytometric evaluation of antibodies against histocompatibility antigens and platelet-specific antigens in patients with hematological disorders following the transfusion of platelets concentrates

Blood transfusion may lead to the manifestation of anti-HLA and platelet-specific antibodies that may in turn bring about different problems like platelet refractoriness. It appears that the study of antibodies against HLA-Class I and platelet-specific antigens are useful for the selection and success of the appropriate treatment protocol. The aim of this study was to detect anti-HLA and anti-platelet-specific antibodies by flowcytometry in patients with hematologic disorders [including Acute Leukemia, Aplastic Anemia] and patients with ITP. In this descriptive study, anti-HLA and platelet-specific antibodies were detected by flowcytometric technique, using 62 sera drawn from patients with different hematological disorders who showed a poor response to platelet transfusion and 20 from patients with ITP. The results of anti-HLA antibodies were then compared by Panel Reactive Antibodies [PRA]. Our results showed 44 [53.7%] out of 82 patients had anti-HLA Class-I antibodies in their sera. The frequency of each antibody isotype was found to be as follows: IgM [51.2%], IgG [32.9%] and IgA [1.2%]. 36 [43.9%] out of 82 patients had platelet specific antibodies and the frequency of each antibody isotype was found to be as follows: IgM [40.2%], IgG [30.5%] and IgA [12.2%]. 27 [31.7%] out of 82 patients had both antibodies. No difference was found between the two groups in platelet specific antibodies. Despite significant correlation between flowcytometry and PRA methods, PRA can only detect antibodies which react with complement. With increase in the number of platelet transfusion, immunization to HLA antigens occures; moreover, immunization against platelet specific antigens may also occure during autoimmunity. The presence of these antibodies may be one of the reasons of poor response to platelet transfusion and platelet refractoriness in patients under study. Conducting similar studies with higher number of samples, platelet cross-match, and the use of HLA- matched platelets for these patients are recommended

Comparison of urinary neopterin to creatinin ratio in multiple sclerosis patients and controlled group

Multiple Sclerosis as the most common cause of demyelinating disorders has a basis of autoimmunity. To describe a procedure to determine total and aromatic UNCR and their ratio as a marker of cell mediated immunity in MS patients and controlled groups. In this project UNCR was determined and compared in MS patients who reffered to the neurology department of Shariati's Hospital and normal subjects. Using HPLC and Novapak C18 [3.9x300mm] column at 25 degrees centigrade. Mean of aromatic UNCR were 337.6 +/- 47.2 and 1273.1 +/- 201.64 micromol/mol, mean of total UNCR were 484.64 +/- 60.2 and 1800.3 +/- 250.1 micromol/mol, and the ratio of aromatic/total UNCR were 0.664 and 0.73 in normal subjects and MS patients respectively. Prominent elevation of aromatic UNCR in MS patients in comparison with normal subjects is the sign of high activity of cell- mediated immunity in this group even though with treatment