[Detection of intracytoplasmic Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis]

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients throughout the world. The incidence is increasing despite the major advances in the development of antimicrobial agents and other supportive treatments. Based on multiple studies, it has been shown that patient outcome depends on Th1 and Th2 cytokine response. Moreover, whenever the Th2 response is predominant, the sepsis is more severe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cytokine levels and the severity of sepsis in patients. A cross-sectional study on the cellular levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines was carried out in patients with sepsis and severe sepsis. The study included 37 patients [24 men and 13 women], 26 of them had sepsis and 11 had the severe form of sepsis Thirty-seven healthy volunteers served as controls. The average age of the patients was 57 years [ +/- 23.3 years], with a range of 21 to 92 years. From the whole blood of the subjects, we separated the monocytes and leukocytes, which were then cultured. Using an ELISA method, we measured levels and IL-12 [associated with Th1], and IL-4 and IL-10 [associated with gamma of IFN- Th2] in the cultured cells with and without cell stimulation. No gamma production in the cells of patients with sepsis gamma correlation was found for IFN- and severe sepsis, regardless of whether the patients had died or survived. However, IL-12 levels were significantly decreased in severe sepsis compared with those of sepsis patients [P=0.048]. Furthermore, the cells of expired patients also had significantly decreased IL-12 levels compared with those of, IL-4, and surviving patients [P=0.028]. We also found that the levels of IFN- IL-10 were decreased in patients compared with those of controls, which correlated to their production. However, there was no correlation for IL-12 production between the cells of the patients compared with those of the controls. There was also no correlation for cytokine production between men and women with sepsis and in adults compared with that of elderly patients [>55 years old]. We have shown that the predominating T helper cell subset in patients with severe sepsis, as well as expired patients, is Th2. In conclusion, the correlation of Th1 cytokine production and progression of sepsis was demonstrated. Most probably IL-12 levels would be significantly lower in patients with severe sepsis and those who expired

[Comparison of pulmonary function parameters changes among professional and semi-professional basketball athletes]

Bronco constriction is induced by exercise. There are several studies on pulmonary function in athletes during exercise, but there is not a specific study on basketball athletes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pulmonary function changes during basketball in professional players. This study was a before and after study on spirometric parameters during basketball play. Respiratory function was assessed in participants before and 6 to 9 minutes after exercise with a spirolab 2. The study was conducted in three groups, National team of basketball as professional athletes, university team of basketball as semi-professional athletes and medical students as non-athletes group. Thirty five professional athletes, 12 semi-professional athletes and 34 non-athletes participated in this study. Overall, forced vital capacity [FVC] was significantly decreased after exercise [p=0.000], but this change was significant in professional athletes [p=0.05]. Although forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] didn't have significant changes after exercise, there was a significant reduction in this parameter among professional athletes. There were not any significant changes in other spirometric parameters. The reduction in FVC and FEV1 were not more than 6%. We concluded that changes in pulmonary function parameters in professional basketball players were more than semi-professional and non-athletes people

Heroin associated priapism

Priapism is a pathologically prolonged and painful penile erection, usually unassociated with sexual desire or intercourse. Causes include certain oral medication, although the mechanism for drug-induced priapism is unknown. We describe one case of priapism attributed to penile heroin injection

[Demographic and clinical findings of pediatric trauma patients of Barn earthquake in 2003]

Background: Despite occurrences of several earthquakes in Iran, there aren't no document data from clinical and demographic findings of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic and clinical findings of pediatric trauma patients referred to Tehran University of Medical Sciences Hospitals after Bain earthquake in 2003

Methods: Medical records of all of pediatric trauma patients with age lower than 18 year old who were admitted in Imam Khomini, Shariati and Sina hospitals were reviewed retrospectively

Results: From 440 total number of patients, 25.4% [51 boys and 61 girls] were pediatrics. Eighty-two percent patients were transported to our hospitals within the first 3 days after earthquake. The limbs were the most common organs injured [61.6% alone and 14.3% together with other organs]. Of these patients, 34.5% had operative surgery and there were no tetanus n our subjects. Thirty percent patients suffered from infectious disease and the most common infectious disease was urinary tract infection. Acute renal failure developed only in 5 patients

Conclusion: The good management of our patients caused low rate of acute renal failure and any clinical findings of tetanus. The high rate of limbs injuries need appropriate management in future