Comparing cardiac CT angiography and MR angiography in evaluating left ventricular function and volumes / Comparación de la angiografía por TC y la angiografía por RM para evaluar la función y los volúmenes del ventrículo izquierdo

Abstract Background: cardiovascular diseases are among the principal causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment can play an important role in reducing complication of cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: Considering increasing popularity of cardiac computed tomography CT angiography (CTA) in one side and also magnetic esonance angiography (MRA) as gold standard modality on the other side, we decided to perform this meta-analysis study to compare cardiac CTA and MRA in evaluating left ventricular volumes. Method: this study is a systematic review in which we included all studies with inclusion criteria and without exclusion criteria up to 30 December, 2019. Studies were selected after searching on different databases and articles in bibliography of included studies. Obtained studies were screened for quality. Required data were extracted and were then analyzed via STATA 11 statistical package. Results: among 90 articles obtained in primary search, finally 19 studies entered data extraction and synthesis. Based on our meta-analysis, standardized mean difference was -0.09 (95% CI -0.2, 0.02) for end systolic volume (ESV), -0.10 (95% CI -0.22, 0.01) for end diastolic volume (EDV), 0.10 (95% CI -0.01, 0.22) for ejection fraction (EF) and -0.09 (95% CI -0.23, 0.04) for stroke volume (SV). Conclusion: Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that there is no statistically significant difference between CTA and MRA in evaluating ESV, EDV, EF and SV. Based on our findings, it can be interpreted that CTA has similar accuracy with MRA in evaluating ventricular volumes.

Resumen Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares están entre las principales causas de morbimortalidad global. La prevención, el diagnóstico precoz y el tratamiento pueden desempeñar un papel importante en la reducción de las complicaciones de las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Teniendo en cuenta la creciente popularidad de la angiografía por tomografía computarizada (ATC) cardiaca, por un lado, y también la angiografía por resonancia magnética (ARM) como el método de referencia, por el otro, decidimos llevar a cabo un metaanálisis para comparar la ATC y la ARM cardiaca en la evaluación de los volúmenes del ventrículo izquierdo. Método: Revisión sistemática en la cual incluimos todos los estudios con criterios de inclusión y sin criterios de exclusión hasta el 30 de diciembre de 2019. Los estudios se seleccionaron de diferentes bases de datos y artículos de las bibliografías de los estudios incluidos. Los estudios obtenidos se examinaron para evaluar su calidad. Los datos requeridos fueron extraídos y luego analizados utilizando el paquete estadístico STATA 11. Resultados: De los 90 artículos obtenidos en la búsqueda primaria, finalmente 19 estudios entraron a extracción de datos y síntesis. Según nuestro metaanálisis, la diferencia de medias estandarizada fue de −0.09 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%] −0.2 a 0.02) para el volumen sistólico final (VSF), −0.10 (IC95%: −0.22 a 0.01) para el volumen diastólico final (VDF), 0.10 (IC95%: −0.01 a 0.22) para la fracción de eyección (FE) y − 0.09 (IC95%: −0.23 a 0.04) para el volumen sistólico (VS). Conclusiones: Los resultados de esta revisión sistemática y metaanálisis mostraron que no existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre la ATC y la ARM en la evaluación del VSF, el VDF, la FE y el VS. Basado en nuestros hallazgos, se puede interpretar que la ATC tiene una precisión parecida a la ARM en la evaluación de los volúmenes ventriculares.

Fe3O4@Ag nanoprobe for detection of ovarian cancer cell line using magnetic resonance imaging

Background and Aims: Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] plays an essential role in molecular imaging by delivering the contrast agent into targeted cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of magnetic nanoparticles containing iron oxide and silver [Fe3O4@Ag core-shell nanoprobe] as a contrast agent for the detection of ovarian cancer cell line ovcar-3

Materials and Methods: Co-precipitation method was used for synthesis of Fe3O4Ag nanoprobe which was then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR], dynamic light scattering [DLS] and scanning electron microscope [SEM]. To evaluate the ability of this nanoprobe in detection of the ovcar-3 cell line by MRI, the cells were exposed to different [5 to 50 µg/mL] concentrations of Fe3O4@Ag nanoprobe before contrast intensity calculation by MRI

Results: SEM images revealed that Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles are spherical, about 100 nm. FTIR showed strong absorbance picks belonging to the stretching vibration of Ag and Fe-O. It was found that contrast intensity of Fe3O4@Ag nanoprobe decreases as concentration decreases. Statistical analysis revealed significant difference in concentrations of 30, 40 and 50 µg/mL, compared to control [p<0.05]. In the presence of Ovcar-3 cells, higher concentrations [10, 20, and 30 µg/mL] of nanoparticles also significantly increased contrast intensity in comparison with control [p<0.05]

Conclusions: This novel magnetic nanoparticle can be used as an effective contrast agent for improving MRI in detection of ovarian cancer cells. The sensitivity of this contrast agent may be improved by binding to targeting molecules such as antibody and aptamer

Obstetrics and perinatal outcomes of dichorionic twin pregnancy following ART compared with spontaneous pregnancy

Introduction: Regarding to the recent advances in assisted reproductive techniques [ART], twin and multiple pregnancies have increased during past years

Objective: This study was performed to compare obstetrics and perinatal outcomes of dichorionic twin pregnancy following ART with spontaneous pregnancy

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study which was performed in Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 107 dichorionic twin pregnancy were enrolled in two groups: spontaneous group [n=96] and ART group [n=31]. Basic criteria and obstetrics and neonatal outcomes information including demographic data, gestational age, mode of delivery, pregnancy complications [preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth retardation [IUGR], postpartum hemorrhage], neonatal outcomes [weight, first and fifth minuteP PApgar score, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU] admission, mortality, respiratory distress, and icterus] were recorded using a questionnaire

Results: Preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia were significantly higher in ART group compared to spontaneous pregnancy group. However, other factors such as anemia, IUGR, postpartum hemorrhage, and intrauterine fetal death [IUFD] were not significantly different between groups. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of neonatal outcomes [weight, 1PstP and 5PthP min Apgar score <7, NICU hospitalization, mortality, respiratory distress, and icterus]

Conclusion: With regard of significantly higher poor outcomes such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and preterm labor in ART group, the couples should be aware of these potential risks before choosing ART

Comparison of Dietary Macro and Micro Nutrient Intake between Iranian Patients with Long-term Complications of Sulphur Mustard Poisoning and Healthy Subjects

Background: Patients with long-term complications of sulfur mustard (SM) poisoning are often less able to undertake optimum levels of physical activity and adequately control their dietary intake. The aim of present study was to investigate the dietary intake of patients with SM poisoning in comparison to a control group. Methods: The study was undertaken on 55 Iranian male veterans, who had > 25% disabilities due to long-term complications of SM poisoning and 55 men age-matched healthy subjects. A previously validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used for measuring dietary macro/micro nutrient intake for both groups; and the results were analysed using Dietplan6 software. Results: Analysis of macro/micro nutrients in dietary intakes of the patients versus the controls showed a significantly lower intake of several nutrients including selenium and carbohydrate. On the other hand, the dietary intake of trans-fatty acids and iodine were significantly higher in these patients. Conclusion: Long-term complications of SM poisoning in the Iranian veterans induce both chemical and physical disabilities. Macro/micro nutrient intake in these patients was significantly different in comparison with matched, healthy subjects. Dietary advice for these patients should be strongly recommended to these patients in order to prevent other chronic diseases.