Performance of existing diagnostic criteria for palindromic rheumatism.

BACKGROUND: Four criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of palindromic rheumatism (PR), including those of Hannonen et al., Passero and Barbieri, Guerne and Weisman, and Gonzalez-López. But none of these criteria has been validated. In this research, we investigated the performance of these diagnostic criteria for diagnosing PR. METHODS: In this study, PR and control groups were consecutively recruited from a prospective cohort of intermittent arthritis. Inclusion criteria for PR group were diagnosing PR by an expert rheumatologist, age ≥ 18, having at least 6 months follow-up, and ruling out of other causes of intermittent arthritis. These criteria were applied to both groups. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and Youden's index were calculated for each criteria. RESULTS: This study included 197 consecutive subjects diagnosed with PR and 208 subjects with a diagnosis other than PR. The sensitivity of Hannonen et al. criteria was higher than the Gonzalez-Lopez, Guerne and Weisman, and Pasero and Barbieri criteria (96.4% versus 95.4%, 79.2%, and 35.5%, respectively). The specificity of the Pasero and Barbieri criteria was higher than the other criteria. Hannonen al. criteria with a DOR of 325.7, had the highest DOR. In descending order, the best accuracy belonged to Hannonen et al., Gonzalez-Lopez, Guerne and Weisman, and Pasero and Barbieri criteria (94.3%, 94.1%, 86.4%, and 66.9% respectively). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the Hannonen et al. and Gonzalez-Lopez criteria have a better performance in diagnosing PR. Key Points • The sensitivity of Hannonen et al. criteria and the specifity of Passero and Barbieri criteria are higher than other proposed criteria for diagnosis of palindromic rheumatism. • Hannonen et al. criteria with a sensitivity of 96.4%, specifity of 92.3% and accuracy of 94.3% has the best performance in diagnosis of palindromic rheumatism between existing diagnostic criteria for palindromic rheumatism.

Exposure to anesthetic gases in the operating rooms and assessment of non-carcinogenic risk among health care workers.

Health care workers employed operating room in hospital and health centers are unavoidably exposed to inhaling toxic gases, including isoflurane and sevoflurane. Chronic contact with these gases increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, congenital anomalies and cancers. Risk assessment is an important tool in predicting the possible risk to personnel's health. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the concentration of isoflurane and sevoflurane gas in the air of the operating room and estimating the non-carcinogenic risk caused by them. In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, according to the occupational method (OSHA 103), 23 samples (isoflurane and sevoflurane) were collected in the air of operating rooms of four selected hospitals in Ahvaz city by using SKC sampling pumps and sorbent tube (Anasorb 747). The samples were determined by used to gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC/FID). Statistical analysis, including the Kruskal-Wallis test, was used to compare the average concentration of anesthetic gases, and the one-sample t-test was used to compare the average with the standard level. In all analyses, the significance level was 0.05, which was performed by SPSS version 22 software. Result of this study showed that the average concentration of isoflurane in private and general hospitals were 23.636 and 17.575 ppm, respectively. Also, the average level of sevoflurane were 1.58 and 7.804 ppm. According to the results the mean amount of anesthetic gases was within the range recommended by Iran's Occupational and Environmental Health Center and the permissible threshold limit provided by ACGIH. In addition, non-cancer risks from occupational exposure to isoflurane and sevoflurane in selected private and general hospitals were acceptable (HQ < 1). Although the results show that overall occupational exposure to anesthetic gases is less than acceptable but long-term exposure to anesthetic gases may endanger the health of operating room staffs. Therefore, it is recommended to implement some technical controls, including regular inspection of ventilation systems, the use of advanced ventilation systems with high cleaning power, continuous control of anesthesia devices in terms of leakage, and periodic training of related staff.

Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Outcome of Cardiac Dysrhythmias in a Noncardiac Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction: Several extrinsic factors contribute to the development of cardiac dysrhythmias. In intensive care unit (ICU) settings and among critically ill patients who are exposed to a large number of risk factors, cardiac disturbances are more common. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcome of cardiac dysrhythmias in a non-cardiac ICU. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center, observational study conducted in a tertiary noncardiac ICU at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. Out of the 360 adult patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted to ICU for longer than 24 h, 340 cases who met the study inclusion criteria were recruited between March 2018 until October 2018. Results: The most common nonsinus dysrhythmias were new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) (12.9%) and ventricular tachycardia (21 patients-6.2%). According to our results, previous percutaneous coronary instrumentation, acute kidney injury, sepsis, and hyperkalemia act as risk factors in the development of cardiac dysrhythmias. Additionally, we found out that thyroid dysfunction and pneumonia can predict the development of NOAF in critically ill patients. The estimated mortality rate among patients with NOAF in this study was 15.7% (p < .05). Conclusion: Cardiac dysrhythmias are common in ICU patients and treating the risk factors can help to prevent their development and improve patient management and outcome.

Predictors of Intensive Care Unit Admission in Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become the leading source of pneumonia outbreaks in the world. The present study aimed to compare the condition of intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU COVID-19 patients in terms of epidemiological and clinical features, laboratory findings, and outcomes in three cities across Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 195 COVID-19 patients admitted to five hospitals across Iran during March-April 2020 were recruited. Collected information included demographic data, laboratory findings, symptoms, medical history, and outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with t test or Mann-Whitney U test (continuous data) and Chi square test or Fisher's exact test (categorical variables). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 195 patients, 57.4% were men, and 67.7% had at least one comorbidity. The prevalence of stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and autoimmune diseases was higher in ICU than in non-ICU patients (P=0.042, P=0.020, and P=0.002, respectively). Compared with non-ICU, ICU patients had significantly higher white blood cell (WBC) count (P=0.008), cardiac troponin concentrations (P=0.040), lactate dehydrogenase levels (P=0.027), erythrocyte sedimentation rates (P=0.008), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P=0.029), but lower hematocrit levels (P=0.001). The mortality rate in ICU and non-ICU patients was 48.1% and 6.1%, respectively. The risk factors for mortality included age>40 years, body mass index<18 Kg/m2, hypertension, coronary artery disease, fever, cough, dyspnea, ST-segment changes, pericardial effusion, and a surge in WBC and C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, and BUN. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion for ICU admission should be maintained in patients with positive clinical and laboratory predictive factors.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Changes in Potassium Concentration and Arrhythmia During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a treatment option for coronary artery diseases. Cardiac arrhythmias during CABG surgery can lead to serious complications. Potassium ion concentration is a factor involved in such arrhythmias. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between potassium concentration and cardiac arrhythmias in CABG surgery. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 60 patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists class I, II, and III undergoing CABG surgery at Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. All patients underwent general anesthesia, and ventilator control was achieved by mechanical ventilation. The on-pump method was used for CABG. Potassium levels were measured at several time points during surgery. All cardiac arrhythmias were recorded. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum level of potassium, blood sugar, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium, magnesium, hemoglobin (Hb), and sodium were also recorded. Results: The mean age of the patients was 60.87 ± 7.35 years, and 45% of the subjects were female. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the patients. There was a significant relationship between the changes in MAP, potassium, blood sugar, BUN, creatinine, calcium, and magnesium with the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias (P < 0.05). However, no significant relationship was noted between Hb and sodium levels with the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The changes in potassium levels increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and their complications.

The effect of melatonin on reduction in the need for sedative agents and duration of mechanical ventilation in traumatic intracranial hemorrhage patients: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of exogenous melatonin on the number of sedative drugs and the duration of mechanical ventilation in traumatic intracranial hemorrhage patients in ICU. METHODS: This double-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in the ICU wards of Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, from September 2017 to March 2018. In this study, 52 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were selected by convenient sampling (26 patients in each group) and were randomly assigned to two groups of melatonin and control. Sedation and pain management package was applied to both groups. OUTCOMES: Amount of the sedative and opioid drug; mechanical ventilation time; ICU staying time; Glasgow Coma Score; hemodynamic parameters. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between them in terms of demographic characteristics. Cumulative doses of morphine and mechanical ventilation time were significant in two groups. (P < 0.05) The mean length of ICU staying was not significant. Glasgow Coma Score on the 6th day was significant in two groups (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure was significant between groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study presented that morphine consumption and mechanical ventilation time were significantly lower in the melatonin group than in the control. Also, rise in GCS in the melatonin group was faster in the melatonin group than in the control. The use of melatonin can be recommended for patients with ICH in the ICU for better outcomes.

Four decades of hand microsurgery in Iran: A bibliographic analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis to assess the number of articles published by Iranian researchers in the field of hand and microsurgery over the last four decades. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online search was conducted using 685 keywords in the abstract/title sections of articles, including carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist fractures, nerve injury and repair, skin flap and graft in the hand, congenital disorders in the hand and forearm, tumor in the hand and wrist, and infection in the hand and wrist. From February 1976 to May 2021, EndNote software version 8.1 was used to search articles in PubMed and Scopus databases. Articles in which at least one of the authors was affiliated with Iran were chosen. The name of the original institution, field of study, total number of publications, type of study, collaboration rate of Iranian hand surgeons for each year, and annual sharing of Iranian articles in journals with the highest cite scores in the field of hand and microsurgery were all examined in the present study. RESULTS: The total number of publications in the field of hand and microsurgery was 632 (an average of 11 papers per year). Most of the Iranian hand and microsurgery papers were from the capital city, Tehran (38.09%). There was an increasing trend in the number of publications over the years, most which were about carpal tunnel syndrome (21.5%), tendon (9.8%), and nerve (9.6%). In total, 59.6% were descriptive articles, whereas the proportion of clinical trials was relatively small (22.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Iranian hand microsurgeons have continued to increase their scientific output in hand microsurgery and related fields over the last 40 years. The quality of Iranian hand microsurgeons' scientific output, both within and outside their discipline, has greatly improved; however, they still have a long way to go before becoming a hub of science. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study without control group.

Evaluation of the Effect of Atorvastatin Administration on the Outcomes of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Double-blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the common causes of long-term disabilities and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin administration on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) in patients with TBI. METHODS: This double-blinded randomized clinical trial included 60 patients with TBI in Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz, Iran. After obtaining an informed consent from all patients, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups. For the intervention group, atorvastatin with a daily dose of 20 mg was used. The control group was administered the same amount of placebo for 10 days. Changes in the level of consciousness were measured using the GCS, and functional recovery rate in patients was measured by GOS and DRS in the third follow-up month. RESULTS: According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, the atorvastatin administration significantly increased the level of GCS and DRS within 2 - 3 months post-intervention and improved GOS since the tenth day after the study (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed the positive effect of atorvastatin on the improvement of outcomes measurements such as GCS, DRS, and GOS in patients after moderate and severe TBI.

Comparison of the Effects of Haloperidol and Dexmedetomidine on Delirium and Agitation in Patients with a Traumatic Brain Injury Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Patients under mechanical ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have a higher risk of delirium. To date, the ideal sedative combination for delirium treatment in terms of cost and side effects has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the effects of haloperidol and dexmedetomidine on delirium in trauma patients under mechanical ventilation in the ICU. METHODS: Sixty patients with a moderate traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the haloperidol group received 2.5 mg of haloperidol intravenously every eight hours for ten minutes daily, and the dexmedetomidine group received 0.5 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine via intravenous infusion every other day. Delirium, agitation, length of hospitalization, duration of mechanical ventilation, and need for sedation up to seven days were measured and recorded in both groups. The Richmond Agitation-Sedation scale (RASS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health evaluation (APACHE II) scales were used to determine the level of agitation in patients. The Confusion Assessment method (CAM)-ICU criteria were used to determine the incidence of delirium. RESULTS: Based on the results of this study, age and sex of the two groups were not significantly different. The mean age of the patients was 36.83 years in the haloperidol group and 40.1 years in the dexmedetomidine group. After the intervention, there was no significant difference in terms of the level of consciousness, number of days required for ventilation (P = 0.17), and number of days in the ICU (P = 0.49); however, there was a significant difference between the two groups three to seven days after the intervention. Besides, there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of delirium five to seven days after the intervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of delirium and the level of agitation; the patients in the dexmedetomidine group were calmer and experienced less delirium.

The effects of Taurine supplementation on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury is a public health concern and is the main cause of death among various types of trauma. The inflammatory conditions due to TBI are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Taurine has been reported to have immune-modulatory effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to survey the effect of taurine supplementation in TBI patients. METHODS: In this study, 32 patients with TBI were randomized into two groups. The treatment group received 30 mg/kg/day of taurine in addition to the Standard Entera Meal and the control group received Standard Entera Meal for 14 days. Prior to and following the intervention, the patients were investigated in terms of serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, hs-CRP and TNF-α as well as APACHEII, SOFA and NUTRIC scores, Glasgow coma scale and weight. In addition, the length of Intensive Care Unit stay, days of dependence on ventilator and 30-day mortality were studied. SPSS software (version 13.0) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Taurine significantly decreased the serum levels of IL-6 (p = 0.04) and marginally APACHEII score (p = 0.05). In addition, weight loss was significantly lower in taurine group (p = 0.03). Furthermore, taurine significantly increased the GCS (p = 0.03). The groups were not different significantly in terms of levels of IL-10, hs-CRP, and TNF-α, SOFA and NUTRIC scores, 30-day mortality, length of ICU stay and days of dependence on ventilator. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, taurine supplementation can reduce the IL-6 levels as one of the important inflammatory markers in these patients; and enhances the clinical outcomes too. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT, IRCT20180514039657N1 . Registered 22 June 2018.

Comparison of Intercostal Nerve Block with Ropivacaine and Ropivacaine-Dexmedetomidine for Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Thoracotomy is one of the most painful surgeries, and failure to alleviate patients' pain can have dangerous consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine in the intercostal block for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing thoracotomy. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 74 patients aged 18 to 60 years with ASA class I or II, BMI less than 40, and no severe systemic problems referred to a teaching hospital in Ahvaz to undergo thoracotomy were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups. After surgery, an ultrasound-guided intercostal block was done with ropivacaine (5 cc of 0.25% solution; group R) or ropivacaine (5 cc of 0.25% solution) plus dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg; group RD) per dermatome. Two dermatomes above and two dermatomes below the level of surgical incision were used. Pain, total opioid consumption, length of ICU stays, time to first rescue analgesic, and time to get out of bed were compared between the two groups. Results: The intercostal block significantly reduced pain in both groups (P < 0.0001). The pain was lower in the RD group than in the R group from six hours after the intervention up to 24 hours after (P < 0.001). The number of patients who needed rescue analgesia at 12 hours was significantly lower in the RD group (P < 0.05). The RD group also had lower total opioid consumption and a longer time to receive the first rescue analgesia (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the length of hospitalization and the time to get out of bed. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine is an effective and safe choice to be used as an adjunct to ropivacaine in ICB, and it extends the duration of analgesia in combination with ropivacaine after thoracotomy.

Correction to: Determination of the effects of prone position on oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory failure under mechanical ventilation in ICU.

[This corrects the article on p. 274 in vol. 11, PMID: 30894882.].

Effect of Tubular Feeding with the Measurement of Gastric Residual Volume on Ventilator Associated Pneumonia.

Background: Several measures have been taken to prevent the onset of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), one of which is measuring the gastric residual volume. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of two tube feeding methods with and without gastric residual volume measurement on VAP. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on the study population of patients with endotracheal tubes hospitalized in Intensive Care Units 1 and 2 of Golestan hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. Overall, 70 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into groups 1 and 2. Groups 1 and 2 were fed with and without measuring gastric residual volume, respectively. The incidence of pneumonia was assessed using the Modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score prior to the intervention and on the fifth day post- intervention. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 22. Results: The incidence of VAP was 9.12% in the group with gastric residual volume measurement and 7.14% in the other group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.827) regarding VAP prevalence. Conclusion: Monitoring gastric residual v olume requires aspiration and repeated measurements of gastric contents, resulting in increased nursing workload. Moreover, if the gastric residual volume is high, the patient will be deprived of calorie intake and subjected to malnutrition. As a result, removing the monitoring of gastric residual volume from the care setting and focusing on interventions proven to reduce VAP can be more helpful.

The Effect of Different Doses of Isoflurane on Hemodynamic Changes and Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery under General Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, endoscopic sinus surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the field of ear, nose, and throat. This surgery has always been followed by bleeding and can cause hemodynamic disorders due to the direct effect of the endoscopic sinus surgery. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic changes with different doses of isoflurane during endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, 90 patients were selected based on ASA class I and II, and divided into three groups of 30 people. The method of anesthesia induction in groups was alike. After induction anesthesia, isoflurane with percentages of 1%, 1.2%, and 1.5% was used in the groups of 1, 2, and 3, respectively and remifentanil was fixed and used in the groups in a dose of 0.1 g/kg/min during the surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in changes in mean of arterial pressure (MAP) after induction in the 3 groups (P < 0.001) that the reduction in mean of arterial pressure between 1 and 3 groups and between 2 and 3 groups were significantly different. There was a significant difference in heart rate per 30, 45, and 60 minutes between 1 and 2 groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Isoflurane percentages of 1.5% versus 1.2% and 1% affected generally a considerable reduction rate of 1% in bleeding and better control of mean arterial blood pressure. In addition, the mean heart rate in several minutes in group 2 with 1.2% isoflurane was less than other groups.

Effect of Local Fibrinogen Administration on Postoperative Bleeding in Open Prostatectomy Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Open prostatectomy is still accompanied by some postoperative bleeding. Prescribing fibrinogen to promote clot formation in patients with bleeding is of critical importance. This research studied the effects of local injection of fibrinogen on level of postoperative bleeding in open prostatectomy. METHODS: Overall, 44 patients were randomly entered in a study on open prostatectomy. Patients in the intervention group received local injections of 500 mg fibrinogen (20 mL) dissolved in distilled water, and the control group patients only received 20 mL of normal saline, where the injections were given by the surgeon at the prostatectomy operation site. All patients were tested for hemoglobin, hematocrit, PT, PTT, INR, and fibrinogen level. Also, the amount of blood loss and requirement for blood products were recorded. RESULTS: The study groups showed no difference regarding baseline variables. One patient in the fibrinogen group (1.66%) and four patients in the control group (6.66%) received blood products (P < 0.05), and the blood drainage tube at 24 hours after operation was 36.50) 18.70 (mL in the fibrinogen group and 151.36) 120.58 (mL in the control group (P = 0.005). There were no differences in hemoglobin, hematocrit, PT, PTT, INR, and serum fibrinogen level between the groups at any time. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that using fibrinogen in patients with high bleeding risk may effectively reduce the amount of bleeding and its subsequent blood transfusion requirement, after open prostatectomy surgery.

The effect of education on the nursing care quality of patients who are under mechanical ventilation in ICU ward.

Nurses have the most important role among health care workers (HCWs) in each hospital (Aiken et al., 2008) [1]. Nurses education can lead to the improvement of nursing care If is implemented and designed based on nurses' needs and proper principles (Aiken et al., 2008) [1]. Nowadays, increased quality of the treatment and increase the chances of survival of patients with acute respiratory failure are very important (Teixeira et al., 2013) [2]. Nursing care plan in ICU patients is one of the important elements in nursing care, and one of the main strategies is promotion of education level. Nurses due to longtime relationship with nursing staff in 24 hours and use of multiple roles of education have excellent position in evaluating educational needs and performing clinical educator roles. The effect of education on the nursing care quality of patients who were under mechanical ventilation (UMV) in intensive care unit (ICU) ward of Razi hospital is evaluated during 2015. The present study is descriptive-analytical and semi experimental research. Research statistical population included 30 nurses. In this paper, the effects of communication with the patient, correct suctioning, compliance of aseptic techniques, the correct discharge of tube cuff, chest physiotherapy, the correct change positions, health food gavage, prevent of foot drop, oral hygiene, the eyes hygiene and protect the cornea have been studied. After completion of the questionnaires by patients, the obtained coded data were fed into EXCEL. Reliability was confirmed with coefficient Alfa 0.86 and the result of software and techniques were entered to SPSS for statistics and analysis.

Determination of the Effects of Prone Position on Oxygenation in Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure Under Mechanical Ventilation in ICU.

Introduction: Patients under mechanical ventilation are usually in the supine position due to various arterial/venous tubes attached to them. Although many studies emphasize the advantages of prone position for oxygenation, some studies enumerate its disadvantages. Objective: The aim of the present research was to determine the effect of prone position on oxygenation of patients with Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) under mechanical ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Methods: The present study is a single-group clinical trial (pretest-posttest), which was performed in 2017 in Ahvaz, Iran. The population of the study included 58 patients with ARF under Mechanical Ventilation (MV) in ICU in the Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz City. Patients were asked to lie in a supine position for 2 hours, and their physiological signs were measured twice at one-hour intervals. Arterial Blood Gas was tested at the end of the second interval. Afterward, they lied in the prone position and their physiological signs were again measured twice at one-hour intervals and Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) was tested at the end of the second interval. Collected data were statically analyzed by SPSS v.22. Findings: The prone position had a significant relation to Oxygen Arterial Blood (Sao2) and Pressure of Arterial Oxygen (pao2), (p-value<0.05). Also, on days one and two, there was no significant relationship between the prone position and physiological signs; however, this relation was significant on day three (p-value<0.05). Conclusions: Results showed that the prone position improves sao2 and pao2 without adverse effect on physiological signs.

The Effect of Magnesium Sulfate on Postoperative Pain in Upper Limb Surgeries by Supraclavicular Block Under Ultrasound Guidance.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of different adjuvants on brachial plexus block. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of adding magnesium sulfate to lidocaine on postoperative pain in upper limb surgeries by supraclavicular brachial plexus block under ultrasound guidance. METHODS: This study was carried out on patients who were candidate for upper limb surgeries. This was a controlled double-blind study conducted on a number of 52 patients aged 18 - 75 years with ASA class I or II. The first group (M) received lidocaine 1% (4 mg/kg) plus fentanyl 50 micg and magnesium sulfate 20% (5 mL) while the second group (N) received lidocaine 1% (4 mg/kg) plus fentanyl 50 micg and normal saline (5 mL) to supraclavicular brachial plexus block under ultrasound guidance. Postoperative pain was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) until 24 hours. Sensory and motor blocks onset and duration, rescue analgesics, hemodynamic variables, and side effects were recorded for all the patients. RESULTS: Postoperative VAS values at 24 hours were significantly lower in group M than group N (P < 0.0001). Sensory and Motor blocks onset and duration were statistically longer in group M than group N (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of magnesium sulfate to lidocaine decreased the postoperative pain and increased the onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks in supraclavicular brachial plexus block under ultrasound guidance in upper limb surgeries.

The relation between serum Vitamin D levels and body antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second cause of death among elderly people. Oxidative stress plays an important role in brain damage after stroke. Currently, Vitamin D has been shown as an antioxidant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of Vitamin D, antioxidant enzymes, and the relation between them in ischemic stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was carried out on 36 patients with ischemic stroke patients and 36 matched subjects as controls. Intake of fruits and vegetables, exposure of sunlight, serum lipid profile, concentrations of serum 25-dihydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH) D), activities of serum superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymes were determined. RESULTS: Severe Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 30% of the patients versus 11% of the controls (P < 0.05). Consumption of fruits and vegetables was lower in patients than that of controls (P < 0.05). Activities of antioxidant enzymes and intake of fruits were positively correlated in stroke patients (P = 0.02). The most potent predictors of stroke risk were hypertension, high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (odds ratios: 3.33, 3.15, and 3.14, respectively, P < 0.05 for all). There was no association between 25(OH) D levels with activities of serum antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Ischemic stroke patients have higher prevalence of severe Vitamin D deficiency and lower intakes of fruits and vegetables. Intake of fruits was positive correlated to higher antioxidant enzymes levels. High levels of blood pressure, history of CVD, and high LDL-C levels are the strongest predictors of ischemic stroke.

Invasive candidiasis in critical care setting, updated recommendations from "Invasive Fungal Infections-Clinical Forum", Iran.

Invasive candidiasis (IC) bears a high risk of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care units (ICU). With the current advances in critical care and the use of wide-spectrum antibiotics, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) and IC in particular, have turned into a growing concern in the ICU. Further to blood cultures, some auxiliary laboratory tests and biomarkers are developed to enable an earlier detection of infection, however these test are neither consistently available nor validated in our setting. On the other hand, patients' clinical status and local epidemiology data may justify the empiric antifungal approach using the proper antifungal option. The clinical approach to the management of IC in febrile, non-neutropenic critically ill patients has been defined in available international guidelines; nevertheless such recommendations need to be customized when applied to our local practice. Over the past three years, Iranian experts from intensive care and infectious diseases disciplines have tried to draw a consensus on the management of IFI with a particular focus on IC in the ICU. The established IFI-clinical forum (IFI-CF), comprising the scientific leaders in the field, has recently come up with and updated recommendation on the same (June 2014). The purpose of this review is to put together literature insights and Iranian experts' opinion at the IFI-CF, to propose an updated practical overview on recommended approaches for the management of IC in the ICU.