Dose measurement outside of radiotherapy treatment field [Peripheral dose] using thermoluminesent dosimeters

In radiation therapy, peripheral dose or the dose outside the radiotherapy field, is important when anatomical structures with very low dose tolerances are involved. One of these critical organs in pelvic irradiation is testis. The amount of radiation delivered to the testes in radiotherapy must be kept as small as possible, consistent with the limit dose of this organ. The threshold doses for temporary and permanent sterility are 0.15 Gy and 6-8 Gy, respectively. Therefore, in pelvic irradiation, protecting testis from these doses and also scattered radiation which could escalate testis dose should be considered. In order to determine the possibility of using testicular shield for high and low energies, TLD dosimetry was done on phantom and 27 patients involved with bladder, rectum and prostate cancers. Dosimetric results showed that the ability of testicular shield in reducing testes absorbed dose is approximately the same [about 7 cGy] for low and high energy photon beams. a testicular shield with a fixed thickness of 1.27cm can be used as testis protection for either high and low energies

Iranian Azeri's Y-chromosomal diversity in the context of turkish-speaking populations of the Middle East

The main goal of this study was to conduct a comparative population genetic study of Turkish speaking Iranian Azeries as being the biggest ethno-linguistic community, based on the polymorph markers on Y chromosome. One hundred Turkish-speaking Azeri males from north-west Iran [Tabriz, 2008-2009] were selected based on living 3 generations paternally in the same region and not having any relationship with each other. Samples were collected by mouth swabs, DNA extracted and multiplex PCR done, then 12 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms [SNPs] and 6 Microsatellites [MS] were sequenced. Obtained data were statistically analyzed by Arlequin software. SNPs and Microsatellites typing were compared with neighboring Turkish-speaking populations [from Turkey and Azerbaijan] and Turkmens representing a possible source group who imposed the Turkish language during 11-15[th] centuries AD. Azeris demonstrated high level of gene diversity compatible with patterns registered in the neighboring Turkish-speaking populations, whereas the Turkmens displayed significantly lower level of genetic variation. This rate of genetic affiliation depends primarily on the geographic proximity. The imposition of Turkish language to this region was realized predominantly by the process of elite dominance, i.e. by the limited number of invaders who left only weak patrilineal genetic trace in modern populations of the region

[Comparison the prevalence of varicocele in first degree relatives of patients and kidney donation volunteers]

Introduction: Varicocele is an abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the testicular veins within the spermatic cord. Varicocele is approximately found in 15% of the general population, despite of the high relatively prevalence of varicocele in the general population, and its association with impaired spermatogenesis and steroid genesis, the paucity available of information and majority of studies were centralized on pathophysiology, methods and results of Varicocele reparation. Regarding to the potential inheritance pattern, we desided to perform this study

Objective: Evaluate the hereditary behavior of varicocele through comparison of prevalence of disease in firstdegree relatives of patients with known varicocele and normal healthy kidney donation volunteers

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study; Sixty-two patients with known varicocele who were admitted for surgery in Razi hospital between September 2005 and October 2006 were enrolled in the study. Their healthy available first -degree relatives [N=88] were asked to refer and examin. A group of 100 men who were refered for voluntary kidney donation were selected as control group and were assessed for varicocele

Results: Among the 88 first -degree relatives of patients with a known varicocele, 40 cases [45.4%] and 11 cases [11%] of 100 men in control group had a clinically palpable varicocele on physical examination. There was a statistically different. Between two groups among the first-degree relatives, 32 cases [55.1%] of 58 brothers, 8 cases [26.6%] of 30 fathers had palpable varicocele

Conclusion: Clinical varicoceles are more prevalent among first-degree relatives [particularly brothers] of patients with known varicoceles and may be an indicator of hereditary behavior of the disease and necessity of screening for male family members

Prevalence of HPV infection and its association with cytological abnormalities of pap smears in Tehran

Human papillomavirus infection is one of the most common genital infections. More than 100 types of this virus have been identified, and most of them are capable of infecting the genital mucosa. Human papillomavirus is in association with cancerous and precancerous lesions of the cervix; some types like HPV 16 and 18 are highly carcinogenic, some types like HPV 31 and 33 are moderately and some types like HPV 6 and 11 are mildly carcinogenic. In this research, the relationship between cytological changes of the squamous epithelial cells and the presence of HPV infections in our cases has been assessed. In this prospective study, we collected 681 samples from women admitted to different hospitals and private gynecological clinics in Tehran, during the years 2003-2005. Two specimens were collected from each patient; one for a Pap smear study and the other for PCR assay in order to detect HPV. Out of our 681 samples, 600 specimens were suitable for PCR assay, and 34 cases were HPV positive in PCR assay. This means that 5.7 percent of our patients were infected with HPV. HPV infection is common in Iran and is nearly identical to European countries such as Germany, and Spain. Also, we found that using PCR assay in order to detect the presence of HPV viruses in vaginal discharges can be very helpful

Relationship between use of hydroxyurea and cholelithiasis in patients with major and intermediate beta-thalassemia

Cholelithiasis is a common problem among patients with homozygous major and intermediate beta-thalassemia due to chronic hemolysis, ineffective erythropoesis and other factors that causes variety of side effects. Hydroxyurea [HU] decreases hemolysis by increasing HbF production in homozygous beta-thalassemia patients. Up to now, there have not been evidences about relationship between use of Hydroxyurea and cholelithiasis in the patients. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between use of HU and incidence of cholelithiasis in patients with major and intermediate beta-thalassemia referred to thalassemia research center of Mazandaran University of medical sciences at Boo-Ali Sina hospital of Sari, IRAN. This historical cohort study was performed in 2006. Study population was major and intermediate beta-thalassemia patients referred to Boo-Ali Sina Hospital of Sari, IRAN. The patients were divided to two groups: case and control groups. The case group [36 patients] was consisted of major or intermediate beta -thalassemia patients using hydroxyurea at least for one year, and the control group were: non-hydroxyurea user patients or beginning to use the drug less than 3 months. The groups were matched on order to age, gender and severity of the disease. Severity of the disease was determined according to grading, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients. Data about demographic information, severity of the disease and results of hepatobiliary ultrasound were recorded in a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using SPSS [11] software and t-test, Chi-square test and fisher exact test. Thirty-six [20 women [55.6%]] patients in case group and 36 [19 women [52.8%]] patients in control group were studied. The mean duration of use of hydroxyurea was 67.9 +/- 25.5 months with maximum 108 months [9 year]. The mean dosage of the drug was 14.9 +/- 5.9 mg/kg with maximum dosage 34 mg/kg. Thirteen [48.1%] patients in control group [12 cholelithiasis, 1 sludge] and 6 [19.4%] patients in case group [5 cholelithiasis, 1 sludge] had abnormal hepatobiliary sonography. The difference between two groups was significant statistically [P<0.02]. Among the different variables, a significant relationship was detected between gender of the patients and effect of HU on cholelithiasis. This study showed that the incidence of cholelithiasis in major and intermediate beta-thalassemia patients using hydroxyurea was less than non-hydroxyurea user patients did. As a result, it seems that there was a preventive effect of hydroxyurea in incidence of cholelithiasis in major and intermediate beta-thalassemia patients

[ immunohistochemical study of S-100 protein in salivary gland tumors: pleomorphic adenoma [PA], adenoid cystic carcinoma [ACC] and mucoepidermoid carcinoma [MEC]]

Salivary gland tumors comprises a large groupe of oral cavity lesions. Ductal and myoepithelial cells are introduced as original cells in salivary gland tumors. The histogenesis of salivary gland tumors are controversial. With considering the role of s-100 protein in demonstration of myoepithelial cells, the purpose of this study was the determination of immunoreactivity pattern and distribution of myoepithelial cells in PA, ACC and MEC. Formalin- fixed paraffin- embedded from 5 PAs, 5 ACCs and 5 MECs were studied immunohistochemically with employing S-100 protein. The S-100 protein positive cells were counted and mean score of Labeling Index [LI] were achieved. The immunoreactivity and staining pattern of each tumor were stablished .Lack of bleeding and necrosis was considered as inclusion criteria. 1] In PA: The plasmacytoid and some of ductal cells were stained positive [LI=0.34].The immunostaining reaction was moderate to severe. 2] In ACC: S-100 protein Immunoreactivity was negative [LI=0]. 3] In MEC: The small numbers of epithelial cells were stained. Since, the stained epithelial cells was lesser than 5%, the MECs was considered negative. Based on this study, the myoepithelial cells do not comprises the main cellular part in ACC and MEC

Histopathologic findings in 848 testicular biopsies of infertile males

848 testicular biopsy slides of 664 infertile men were reviewed from the archive of Jahad Daneshgahi pathology Center. The mean age of patients was 33 years. Bilateral testicular biopsies were performed in 197 cases. In 47 cases [23.9%] the histopathologic findings were not identical Mixed pattern were encountered frequently which must be kept in mind in pathologic evaluations and reports