[Changes in biochemical, enzymatic, and electrolyte indices of sheep in experimental hypocalcemia]

Hypocalcaemia as one of the most important ovine metabolic diseases occurs during late gestation and early lactation. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological effects of experimentally induced hypocalcemia on serum biochemical, enzymatic and electrolyte changes. Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid [EDTA] solution [4.6%] was intravenously infused to 5 healthy sheep [experimental group]. Meanwhile, 5 healthy sheep received 0.9% saline solution [IV] and kept at similar condition as control group. In both groups serum was collected before and after EDTA infusion at different time points. Aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transminase [ALT], glucose, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], total protein, calcium [Ca] and inorganic phosphorus [Pi] levels were measured. Clinical signs of hypocalcemia and/or changes in heart rate was caused by EDTA infusion. Serum calcium levels showed significant decrease [39.2% at its maximum state] following EDTA infusion [p<0.05], compared to the pre-infusion state. Pi levels showed significant decrease [57.8% at its maximum state] during 1 to 4 hours following EDTA infusion. Meanwhile, it was accompaning with an increase [9.9% at its maximum state] at 5.5 to 22 hours after EDTA infusion. Increase in serum glucose levels during 1 to 3 hours following EDTA infusion was determined as much as 60% [38.44 mg/dl] at its maximum state. An increase [51.1% at its maximum state] was shown in blood urea nitrogen levels after EDTA infusion in experimental group. Changes in total protein, ALT and AST were not significant before and after EDTA infusion. While, experimental hypocalcemia can be accompanied with a decrease in serum Ca level, time dependent alterations in Pi and an increase in glucose and BUN levels can be observed. However, AST, ALT and total protein values can be without any changes

[Brain computed tomography scan nessecity before lumbar puncture in meningitis patients with more than 60 years age]

Central Nervous System [CNS] infections especially meningitis is a medical emergency that once suspected should be proved through Lumbar Puncture [LP] and cerebrospinal Fluid [CSF] analysis. On the other hand due to life - threatening complications such as brain herniation in the people older than 60, the procedure safety is debated. This study was done in order to determine the necessity of the Lumbar Puncture [LP] in the patients older than 60 years old who are suspected to meningitis. This descriptive study was done in Infectious Clinic of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashad, Iran from fall 2003 to fall 2005. 90 patients who were suspected to meningitis and undergone brain CT scanning and LP were studied. The results of patient's history, physical examination, demographic information, CT scanning and LP all collected in a questionnaire and analyzed by spss and statistics examinations. Among 90 patients suspected of meningitis who underwent Brain CT-scan and LP, 81 suffered from loss of consciousness, 2 were chronic course and 7 without clinical LP contraindication other than age. 75 had normal CT-scan and 15 had abnormal CT-scan, among which was no space occupying lesion with mass effect or midline shift. Final diagnosis was acute bacterial meningitis in 14 cases and aseptic meningitis in 7 cases and other causes of meningitis in 7 cases, Encephalitis in 1, and 61 cases other CNS infection. Despite other clinical contraindications for LP in most of the patients, in 75 cases. [83%] brain CT-scan was normal and in only 15 cases [17%] there was abnormal CT-scan among which none was a contraindication for LP [i.e space occupying lesion with mass effect or midline shift]. Therefore the role of "age over sixty" as an absolute indication for Brain CT-scan, regarding the existing medical facilities and conditions in our country, did not seem acceptable

[ comparison of two different diuretic renal Scintigraphy protocols in patients with dilated upper urinary tract]

Diuretic renal scan is preferred noninvasive investigation in evaluating upper urinary tract function and assessing upper tract dilatation or obstruction. There are several protocols for diuretic renal scan which are named according to timing of diuretic administration before, after or at the same time of radiopharmaceutical injection. Timing of diuretic administration is not universally standardized in renography. In the present study we compared F-15, F+20 diuretic renography protocols in patient with upper urinary tract dilatation. From Feb 2004 to Nov 2005, 21 patients were referred with flank pain and pyelocalyceal system dilatation without ureteral dilatation in ultrasonography and after history taking, physical exams and radiological studies such as IVP, retrograde pyelogram, serum creatinin measurement and urine analysis, F-15 and F+20 diuretic renal scans were performed. The pharmaceutical drug in this study was TC-EC [Ethylene dicysteine]. Renal function data, curves and renograms were recorded and patients were undergone conservative or surgical therapy and followed up with physical exams and IVP or diuretic renal scan after 3-6 months and then we compared results with two diuretic renal scan protocols. We used marginal homogeneity test to compare renograms and paired t-student tests to compare renal function in two protocols. Among 21 cases, 15 were male and 6 were female. Mean age was 16.3 +/- 25 years. Left pyelocalyceal system dilatation was reported in 15 cases and right side dilation was seen in 6 cases. Chief complain of patients was flank pain. Ultrasound showed pyelocalyceal dilatation without uretral dilatation. IVP findings included delayed pyelogram and pyelocalyceal dilatation without seeing the ureter. Of all renal diuretic scans, 52.2 percent of patients had obstruction pattern in F-15 and F+20 protocols. Results were equivocal in 23.3% of F+20 scans whereas they had complete obstructive pattern in F-15 scans.14% had normal pattern in F+20 and F-15 scans. 9.5% had nonobstructive pattern in F+20 but equivocal or obstructive pattern in F-15 scans. Obstructions were diagnosed in 52.2% of patient by F+20 scan and in 75.5% by F-15 scan. Renal split function didn't change in F-15 and F+20 diuretic renogram protocols. According to the equivocal results of F+20 diuretic renal scans, F-15 can reduce equivocal results of F+20 diuretic renal scans. Of course we recommend future investigations to approve or disapprove this hypothesis

Immunodominant antigens of helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with different gastroduodenal diseases

To detect the immunogenic proteins in Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] strains isolated from patients with different gastric diseases. We performed this study in the Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, during July 2003 to September 2004. Total proteins of H. pylori strains isolated from the gastric biopsies of 3 groups of patients were separated by 1D-SDS-PAGE and then blotted with the sera of their respective hosts. In SDS-PAGE the members of each group showed high correlation according to similarity in their patterns, resulting in considering them in the same cluster. The patterns of immunoblots differed from that of Coomassie Brilliant Blue stained gels. The blotting method did not recognize some of the protein bands in the SDS-PAGE. Only the bands of 106 and 45 kDa from H. pylori strains isolated from patients with gastric cancer were significantly [p<0.05] recognized specifically with the sera of their respective patients, and the band of 13 kDa was recognized specifically [p<0.05] with the sera of nonulceric patients. With the exception of these bands, in the patterns of blotting of the sera from all patients no significant differences were observed. By using 1D blotting methods we could find 2 antigenic protein bands [106 and 45 kDa] for H. pylori strains isolated from cancerous patients, and one [13 kDa] for the strains isolated from nonulceric patients, which were specifically recognized with their respective host

[Optimism and stress appraisal: evaluation of two theoretical models in prediction of psychological adjustment]

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of optimism, and stress appraisal on coping and psychological adjustment based on Scheier and Carver's and Lazarus and Folkman's models.Five questionnaires [Life Orientation Test-Revised, Stress Appraisal, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale and General Health Questionnaire] were administered to 208 females and 147 males that were volunteer to university entrance examination. Comparative analyses indicated that optimists and pessimists differed significantly in secondary [but not primary] appraisal. Regression analyses indicated that optimism-pessimism and stress appraisal variables account for a significant amount of the variance in coping strategies and psychological adjustment. In whole results showed that both models can predict psychological adjustment, although situational variables [stress appraisal] have greater contributions than personal variables [optimism]

effect of tamsulosin in facilitating of juxtavesical stones' passage

We evaluated the effectiveness of tamsulosin and nifedipine during watchful waiting in patients with juxtavesical ureteral stone. Between Oct 2003 and Feb 2004, 382 patients with renal colic referred to our center which 64 patients suffered from juxtavesical stone less than 1 cm where enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into 3 groups. The average sizes of the stones were 6.7 mm, 6.4 mm, 6.8 nun in Groups 1, 2, 3. Group 1 [20 Patients] received daily oral treatment of 0.4 rag tamsulosin and group 2 [20 Patients] received 20 mg nifedipine daily oral therapy, group 3 [24 Patients] were used as controls The patients were treated about 4 weeks and the patients were every 1 week and sonography was done for 4 weeks and whenever the stone was expulsed, we discounted the drug. Information about stones passage and time and complication was noted. Statistical analyses were performed with using the K 2 test We had 35 males and 29 females patients mean age of38 years. According to patients age, sex and stone size there was no significant difference between 3 groups. The stone passage rate was 90% [8 Patients], 75% [14 Patients] and 45% [11 Patients] in groups 1, 2, 3 respectively. The difference in group 1 and 2 with respect to group 3 was significant Average expulsion time was 16 days, 20 days and 18 days in 3 groups respectively. A statistically significant difference was noted between group 1 and 3. Two patients from group 1, five patients from group 2 and thirteen patients from group 3 underwent transureteral lithotripsy. Tamsulosin and nifedipine administration in renal colic due to juxtavesical calsuli increased the stone expulsion rate, reduced expulsion time and decreased need for hospitalization and endoscopic procedures

Evaluation of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation effects on muscular ability in dog: an animal model

Assessment of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation effects on muscular repair and capability following sciatic nerve injury as animal model. Experimental study. Ten male and female 15-22 month-old mixed breed dogs between 18-23 kg body-weight. Animals were subsequently divided into two groups of [control and experimental] 5 dogs each. Then anesthesia was induced. Skin was incised and the muscular dissection performed. The right sciatic nerve was exposed in all dogs and crushed in full thickness using artery forceps for 5 seconds. The experimental group was subjected to of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation [TENS] regimen, daily ten minutes for two weeks. The electromyography [EMG] was recorded from semimembranosus [SI], and semitendinosus [S2]; Extensors [Ext], and Flexors [Flex] muscles before, after crush, 14,28 and 45 post-operative day. Variance analysis by ANOVA and Tukey's test. EMG recording showed significant differences in muscle forced in SI and S2 in experimental group by comparison with control one. The evaluation of [TENS] showed to be helpful to reduce muscle atrophy

[ study of factor structure, validity, reliability and standardization of borderline personality scale [STB] in Shiraz University Students]

The borderline traits scale [STB] was developed at Oxford by Claridge and Broks [1984]. As outlined in detail in Claridge and Broks, STB scale was based on the criteria for borderline personality disorder, and was set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual -3rd edition [DSM-III; American Psychiatric Association, 1980]. Recently this scale was revised by Rawlings et al [2001]. In this study STB corresponded with DSM-IV-TR's criteria for borderline personality disorder. This scale represented one form of a more general 'borderline' condition, referring to unstable modes of interpersonal responding, including ambivalence and degree of control of emotional expression. This scale investigates borderline characteristics of normal population on the base of continuity view of psychotic characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate psychometric properties and standardization of borderline personality scale [STB]. A group of 749 normal participants [380 male and 369 female from collages of Shiraz University] and 60 patients [30 with schizophrenia and 30 with major depression disorders] took part in this research. Principal Component Analysis with promax rotation for STB, extracted three factors which were labeled hopelessness, impulsivity and stress related paranoid/dissociative symptoms factors respectively. However for this scale three other types of validity [concurrent validity, differential validity and correlation between subscales and the whole scale and among subscales] and three reliability [test retest, internal constancy and half splitting reliabilities] were reported. Based on these results, it was concluded that STB scale contain good psychometric properties in Iranian population and it be can used, as valid measure, in psychological and psychiatric researches. Finally the result of this study showed standardized information for STB with sample of 749 participants

Relation between varieoeele and abortion

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of varicocele on abortion,and the relation between the semen analysis factor of patients with abortion was also considered. Between 741 patients with abortion, 251 had no specific reason, These patients were recognized during 2/5 years. They were examined for a possible varicocele and it's severity, 250 men were examined as a sample group. In the group who had abortion 73 men had varicocele while 38 cases were found in the sample group. In the first group recurrent abortion and early abortion were prominent. The severity of varicocele had no relation with abortion. In this study we conclude that: varicocele may be the cause of abortion especially in the first months of pregnancy. Asthenospermia and abnormal morphology of sperms can cause abortion and now the question is whether the varicocelectomy may increase the chance of successful terminal pregnancy

Relation between varicocele and abortion

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of varicocele on abortion, and also relation between the semen analysis factor of the patient with abortion had been considered

Method and Material: Between 741 patients with abortion, 251 of these had a kind of these without specific reason,These Patients recognized during 2/5 years.They were examined to see the possible varicocele,its severity, 250 men were examined as a sample group

Result: In the group who had abortion, 73 men had varicocele while in the sample group 38 cases were found. In the first group recurrent abortion and early abortion was prominent. The severity of varicocele had no relation with abortion

Conclusion: Varicocele can be cause of abortion especially in the first months of pregnancy by mating chromosomal and centrosomal abnormality in sperm. If in semen analysis,abnormal shaped and defected movement of sperm was prominent, possibility of abortion increased, while oligospermia has no effect role in occruing abortion