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Expression analysis of beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) enzyme in peripheral blood of patients with Alzheimerś disease
Get PDFBackground: Recent evidence has indicated that beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) is involved in the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) in patients affected with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore; the purpose of this study was to measure mRNA and plasma levels of BACE1 in AD patients, as an early diagnosis biomarker for such individuals. Methods: A total number of thirty AD patients and thirty normal subjects as controls were recriuted in the present study. Plasma levels of BACE1 were then examined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and also mRNA expression of BACE1 in total blood was measured using real-time PCR technique. Results: The findings revealed a significant difference in gene expression of BACE1 in the peripheral blood of AD patients compared with that in controls (p<0.0001). Additionally, elevated plasma levels of BACE1 were found in AD patients compared with those in normal subjects (p<0.01). Statistical analyses also demonstrated no correlation between expression (mRNA and protein) of BACE1 in both AD patients and controls and age or the results of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale (p>0.05). Conclusion: Given the importance of early diagnosis of AD patients, it was suggested that the measurement of plasma levels and also mRNA expression of BACE1 might be a valuable blood-based biomarker used in preference to other invasive diagnostic methods such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis
Huge maxillary metastasis of an aggressive pancoast tumor –A case report
Get PDFBackground: Metastatic carcinomas to the upper jaw region are very rare and unfortunately occur in advanced stages of malignancies. Pancoast tumor is a challenging subset of lung carcinoma commonly followed by distant metastasis. Since the metastatic lesion of our patient was very huge and unusual, we decided to report the case. Case Presentation: Our patient was a middle-aged heavy smoker male with a history of unresectable pancoast tumor. He was referred to the dental clinic with an expanded maxillary metastasis involving the bone and sinus region as well as oral soft tissues. To confirm the primary site of his malignancy, immunohistochemical staining was performed. Conclusion: Distant metastases of a pancoast tumor are more frequent when the primary tumor is unoperable and bone involvement is one of the early manifestations of disease
Association between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and/or microembolic signals after carotid angioplasty and stenting
Get PDFBackground: To evaluate the association between pre/post-procedural high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and hs-CRP difference, and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or new diffusion-weighted MRI lesions after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). Methods: In this study, conducted in 2016 in Shiraz (Iran), patients who underwent diagnostic angiography and CAS were recruited. CAS was performed with distal embolic protection device on patients with both standard and high risk of endarterectomy. Pre/post-procedural hs-CRP, and hs-CRP difference were determined by immunoenzymometric assay method. Results: A total of 50 patients with diagnostic angiography and 60 patients with CAS were enrolled. No death, myocardial infarction, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, and need to revascularization occurred during the 30-days of the post-procedural period. Accordingly, the statistical evaluation in associating MACE and hs-CRP levels was impossible. Angioplasty was associated with higher frequency of elevated post-procedural hs-CRP in comparison to angiography (P=0.003). The higher age, symptomatic lesions, negative history of hypertension, and hs-CRP difference had significant association with the presence of new DWI lesions in univariate analysis (all P<0.05). Angioplasty of left carotid bulb and post-procedural hs-CRP levels was very close to the level of significance (P=0.06). But only left sided lesions had positive association (P=0.037) and hypertension had negative association (P=0.037) in multivariate regression analysis. There were significant association between post-procedural hs-CRP level (P=0.02) and hs-CRP difference (P=0.003), and the number of new lesions; and the hs-CRP difference and the accumulated lesion surface area (P=0.009). Conclusion: Post-procedural hs-CRP and hs-CRP difference may predict embolic complications of CAS
Factors predicting good outcome of intravenous thrombolysis in stroke patients before rt-PA administration
Get PDFBackground: To determine whether it is possible to predict intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IVT) outcome after 3 months in acute ischemic stroke patients who are candidate to receive recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), before rt-PA administration based on their risk factors and some available laboratory results. Methods: We enrolled 118 ischemic stroke patients who were treated with standard dose of Alteplase in our hospital. Baseline characteristics, door-to-needle time (DTN), onset-to-treatment time (OTT), the National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), systolic and diastolic blood pressure on admission, history of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease (CAD), previous ischemic stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), laboratory results were retrospectively collected. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was recorded after 3 months of admission and patients were divided into good (mRS£ 2) and poor (mRS>2) outcome groups. Chi-square test and t-test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Predictors for outcome after 3 months were studied by multivariable logistic regression. Results: Good outcome was seen in 60 (51) patients and poor outcome was seen in 58 (49) patients. Significant predictors for outcome at 3 months according to multivariable regression analysis were NIHSS score (odds ratio OR, 0.61; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.498-0.750; p<0.001), SBP (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.925-0.991; P=0.01), AF (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.013- 0.708; P=0.02), CAD (OR, 17.08; 95% CI, 0.013-0.708; p=0.003). Conclusion: Higher NIHSS score, higher SBP on admission, AF and history of CAD could be the independent predictors of outcome after IVT in acute ischemic stroke patients
Benign schwannoma of posterior mediastinum accompanied by bloody pleural effusion misdiagnosed as solitary fibrous tumor: A case report
Get PDFBackground: Schwannoma is a peripheral nerve sheath tumor originating from schwann cells. It is the most common neurogenic tumor of the posterior mediastinum. Pleural effusion is a rare presentation of benign schwannoma and it is mainly related to malignant tumors. Histologically, schwannoma as well as solitary fibrous tumor should be considered as a differential diagnosis of spindle cell lesions. Case presentation: Here, we report a case of an asymptomatic 61-year-old female misdiagnosed as solitary fibrous tumor of posterior mediastinum which was revealed to have blood stained pleural effusion during the video-assisted thoracic surgery. Eventually pathological study and immunohistochemistry profile of the tumor was reported as benign schwannoma. Conclusion: This report indicates that benign schwannoma can be accompanied by bloody pleural effusion and it also emphasizes the role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of biopsy specimen of spindle cell lesions.  
An Evaluation of the Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery ByPass Graft Surgery in Babol
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Awareness of the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and attempts to correct and control it can be effective in reducing the chance of advanced cardiovascular disease that leads to complicated surgical procedures. Since the risk factors of advanced heart disease in northern Iran are unclear, this study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Babol, northern Iran.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 460 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery from the beginning of 2011 to the end of 2015 in Ayatollah Rohani Hospital in Babol. The modifiable risk factors of coronary heart disease were evaluated according to the data in medical records of patients.
FINDINGS: The prevalence of hypertension in the total samples was 56.74% (261 patients), the prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 32.16% (150 patients) and the prevalence of diabetes was 38.91% (179 patients). 31.09% (143 patients) had history of myocardial infarction in the past. 12.6% (58 patients) were smokers, all of whom were male. In terms of gender distribution, 53% (244 patients) were male and 47% (216 patients) were female. The mean age of the patients was 61.4±9.72 years and the mean weight of the patients was 68±12.57 kg. In terms of body mass index, the total mean was 26.3±4.25.
CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are significantly common in the population of cardiac patients in Babol. The prevalence of risk factors in women is higher. Therefore, timely screening and precise monitoring of these isuues can be important in preventing long-term complications
Hysteroscopic and Pathologic Evaluation of Chronic Endometritis in Patients with Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic endometritis is one of the most specific, but not the most common causes of infertility, which reduces the amount of pregnancy and poor results of pregnancy, such as preterm labor and abortion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of chronic endometritis in recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) and to determine the bilateral relationship between the histological and pathological findings of this inflammation.
METHODS: A case controlled-prospective observational study was performed on one hundred women 20-35 years in the Fatemeh Zahra infertility center and Rohani hospital. Patient group include forty patients with unexplained RSA and control group include 60 women that underwent hysteroscopy due to vaginal bleeding or other causes except RSA. All of the women underwent endometrial biopsy and examined by pathologist for presence plasma cells in stroma.
FINDINGS: In all patients endometritis rate was 8%. Patients with RSA had a significantly higher incidence of CE both hysteroscopically (30% vs. 6.7%; p<0.005) and pathologically (27.5% vs. 6.7%; p < 0.005). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of CE were 93.3%, 97.6%, 87.5% and 98.8% respectively. Also the PPV and NPV of hysteroscopy, sensitivity, specificity in the diagnosis of endometrial polyp were 100%, 87.3%, 76.3% and 100% respectively.
CONCLUSION: Based on the results, there was a significant association between CE and unexplained RSA. Due to high sensitivity and acceptable specificity of hysteroscopy in diagnosis of CE and endometrial polyp, we recommended hysteroscopic evaluation of patients with unexplained RSA
Performance evaluation of Iranian valid scientific journals in the field of accounting and finance
Get PDFBackground and aim: With increasing competition in the scientific society, attention to the quality of journals has enhanced and different methods are used to evaluate the journals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find a comprehensive view on the status of the performance of the valid journals in the field of accounting and finance in Iran by gathering different evaluation criteria.
Material and methods: This evaluative study was conducted using a scientometric method. Evaluation criteria consisting 14 components were prepared based on studies performed in this field, data on various components were collected by referring to the website of the journals and databases, and finally, these data were analyzed using Excel. The statistical population was 18 and 9 accounting and financial journals, respectively.
Findings: The findings showed that 66.6% of journals were published by State universities and 33.4% by other centers. According to the State Journal database, 3 journals were ranked A and the others B and C. No journal was ranked A+. The mean of immediacy index and impact factor were 0.018 and 0.253 in the accounting journals and 0.015 and 0.123 in the financial journals, respectively. Only one journal was indexed in 6 national and 4 international databases. Totally, 18% of the journals were indexed in 80% of these databases and the others in lower ranks. In summary, two journals of "Financial Accounting Research" and "Financial Knowledge of Securities Analysis" were ranked first in this field.
Conclusion: Averagely, accounting journals have higher impact factor and cumulative citations compared with financial ones. It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of articles in financial journals and indexing in valid databases in accounting journals
Citation analysis and network drawing of schizophrenia-related articles
Get PDFBackground and aim: The aim of this study was to analyze and draw up a citation network of published schizophrenia-related resources in Iran from 2012 to 2016 so that this citation network provides a guidance for researchers and acquisition in information centers by specifying the status of resources and researchers in Iran.
Material and methods: The current study was conducted through citation analysis method and using social network analysis. The study population was 5303 citations extracted from the list of 180 papers published in the field of schizophrenia in Iran. NodeXL software was used to analyze and draw the citation network and Excel software was applied for statistical calculations.
Findings: There are 3 components in the citation network of schizophrenia-related articles. In the largest component, there are 2395 people who have cited each other 5287 times, and the network diameter is 12. The average distance in the network is 5.39 and the network density is less than 0.5, indicating low density of citations. Moreover, in terms of document type, articles (78.76%) have been cited more frequently than other resources. The most cited resource in the citation network is "Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry" compiled by Harold Kaplan and Benjamin James Sadock and the most cited author is Benjamin James Sadock.
Conclusion: Generally, the citation network in schizophrenia is a dispersed network with a very low density in Iran, representing that the potential relationships have not been formed among authors
The Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Glaucium Flavum on the Activity of Anti Oxidative Enzymes in the Heart and Brain of Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is the connection between diabetes and neuropathies and micro vascular disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Glaucium Flavum on the tissue activity of antioxidant enzymes in the heart and brain of Alloxan induced diabetic rats.
METHODS: In this experimental study, 32 male rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight including control, diabetic, diabetic rats treated by Glaucium Flavum with dose of 500mg/kg and diabetic rats treated with Glibenclamide 5μg/kg. Diabetes was induced by single injection of 120mg/kg of Alloxan. After one month, activity of SOD, CAT and GPX were measured in the heart and brain tissues and analyzed.
FINDINGS: Cardiac activity of all three enzymes in the diabetic + extract group were significantly higher than diabetic control (p<0.001). Activity of SOD in brain had a significant difference in comparison to diabetic + extract (8.79±1.4) and diabetic +drug groups (6.77±1.7) (p=0.03). As the same, CAT activity in diabetic+extract group (4.64±1.2) was significantly higher than diabetic + drug group (3.83±1.5) (p<0.001). Similar to the two previous state, GPX activity in diabetic+extract group (4.23±0.7) was significantly higher than diabetic+drug group (3.64±0.4) (p=0.03).
CONCLUSION: The present study declared that yellow Glaucium Flavum extract can promote the main protective enzymatic mechanisms against diabetic induced oxidative stress in heart and brain. In addition, the effect of the extract was more successful than the effect of Glibenclamide and this effect was more pronounced in brain tissue