Original Research
Mohammad Rakhshan; Azadeh Rakhshan
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 147-150
Abstract
Background and Objective: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established method of diagnosis in palpable masses of various sites. This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of FNAC as a diagnostic tool in the management of patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. Patients and Methods: ...
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Background and Objective: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established method of diagnosis in palpable masses of various sites. This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of FNAC as a diagnostic tool in the management of patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. Patients and Methods: Totally 178 patients admitted to Loghman-Hakim Hospital , Tehran, Iran, with cervical masses, were included in this study. They had undergone FNA and subsequently excisional biopsy of the same neck mass in which a lymphoid tissue lesion had been established. Results: Reactive lymphadenitis, metastatic neoplasm, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma constituted 59.6%, 17.9%, 14.6% and 7.8% of total cases, respectively. In 27 cases (15.2%), the FNA findings were nondiagnostic. Diagnostic accuracy of FNAC was about 88%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 75.8%, 96.6%, 94% and 85.1%, respectively. Conclusion: FNAC has a high accuracy in the diagnosis of malignancies of cervical lymph nodes, but due to the existance of false negative cases, the benign results should be further evaluated if high clinical suspicion of malignancy exists.
Original Research
Mohsen Mirzaee; Parviz Owlia; Mohammad Reza Mehrabi; Amir Gharib
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 151-156
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The most common problems limiting the medical use of aminoglycosides have been the nephro- and oto-toxicities as well as the increasing bacterial resistance. Encapsulation of drugs into liposomes enhances their efficacy while reducing their toxicities. The aim of this ...
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Background and Objectives: The most common problems limiting the medical use of aminoglycosides have been the nephro- and oto-toxicities as well as the increasing bacterial resistance. Encapsulation of drugs into liposomes enhances their efficacy while reducing their toxicities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of free and liposomal amikacin. Material and Methods: Encapsulated amikacin into liposome was prepared by sonication. The drug contained in the liposome was measured by HPLC after lysis of vesicles by 0.2% Triton X-100. The amikacin kinetic released from liposomes in the presence of normal human pooled plasma was also evaluated. The MICs of this drug for Pseudomonas. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia. coli (ATCC 25922), Streptococcus. faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Staphylococcus. aureuse (ATCC 29213) were determined and compared to those of the respective free drug using a broth dilution method. Results: In the presence of plasma, liposomal retention of amikacin was 80.25 ± 0.55% (P ≤ 0.05) after 1 h of incubation and then remained nearly constant over a 24 h period of the study. The encapsulation efficiency of liposomal preparation was 24.36% ± 0.14 (P ≤ 0.05) of the initial amount of the drug in solution. The MICs of liposomal amikacin against all bacterial strains tested were lower than MICs of free amikacin. Conclusion: The amikacin appears a promising approach in the management of bacterial infections and should be further evaluated in vivo experiments.
Original Research
Ahmad Talebian; Zarichehr Vakili; Safar Ali Talar; Seyede Mahbobeh Kazemi; Gholam Abbas Mousavi
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 157-160
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Febrile convulsion is one of the most common types of seizure in childhood. Its pathogenesis is unknown, so studying its cause is valuable. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum level of zinc and magnesium in children withfebrileconvulsion (F.C) ...
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Background and Objectives: Febrile convulsion is one of the most common types of seizure in childhood. Its pathogenesis is unknown, so studying its cause is valuable. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum level of zinc and magnesium in children withfebrileconvulsion (F.C) (3 months to 6 years age). Patients and Methods: In this analytical case-control study, serum level of zinc and magnesium in 60 children with F.C in Shahid Beheshty Hospital of Kashan, center of Iran, was determined. The control group was composed of febrile children with no seizure. All children in both groups were 3 months to 6 yr of age and had not any background of disorders. Serum level of zinc & magnesium was determined by biochemical methods in all groups. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS and t test. Results: The mean serum level of zinc and magnesium in case group, was lower than that of zinc & magnesium in control group (P<0.05). There was no relationship between sex, type and time of seizure with serum level of zinc or magnesium in children in case group. Conclusion: There was a relationship between serum level of zinc & magnesium and the presence of F.C in children. So, it is suggested to use supplements of zinc and magnesium in diet of affected children for prophylaxis of febrile seizure recurrences.
Original Research
Horieh Saderi; Parviz Owlia; Maryam Eslami
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 161-166
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections in every region of the world. Clindamycin is one of the alternative agents used to treat S. aureus infections and accurate identification of clindamycin resistance is important to prevent ...
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Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections in every region of the world. Clindamycin is one of the alternative agents used to treat S. aureus infections and accurate identification of clindamycin resistance is important to prevent therapeutic failure. Unfortunately, inducible clindamycin resistance is not detected by standard susceptibility tests. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the macrolides-lincosamides-streptogramins B (MLSB) resistance in S. aureus isolated in four university hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Material & Methods: Two hundreds and forty-four non-duplicate clinical isolates of S. aureus (133 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 111 methicillin susceptible (MSSA) S. aureus) were collected in 2008. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by the D-test. Results: Altogether, 68% and 61.1% of isolates were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively; with higher resistance in MRSA isolates compared to MSSA isolates. The constitutive MLSB (cMLSB) resistance phenotype was recognized in 61.1%, while 5.3% had shown inducible MLSB (iMLSB) resistance phenotype. Constitutive MLSB resistance phenotype predominated over inducible MLSB resistance phenotype and susceptible phenotype (83.9, 9.3 and 6.8%, respectively) among the MRSA isolates, whereas susceptible phenotype predominated over constitutive MLSB resistance phenotype and inducible MLSB resistance phenotype (62.6, 31.3 and 2%, respectively) among the MSSA isolates. Conclusion:Considering the higher prevalence of clindamycin resistance in MRSA isolates compared MSSA isolates, routine D-test of MRSA isolates is strongly recommended to prevent treatment failure.
Original Research
Nasrin Shayanfar; Shahriar Zohourian Shahzadi
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 167-171
Abstract
Background and Objective: Neuroendocrine differentiation has not been proved to have effects in behavior of colorectal carcinomas. The aim of this study was Immunohistochemical evaluation of neuroendocrine differentiation in colorectal cancer. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 83 ...
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Background and Objective: Neuroendocrine differentiation has not been proved to have effects in behavior of colorectal carcinomas. The aim of this study was Immunohistochemical evaluation of neuroendocrine differentiation in colorectal cancer. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 83 paraffin blocks from patients admitted in Rasoul-e-akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 2003 to 2008, were evaluated in Pathology Department. All sections were stained with immunohistochemistry method for neuron specific enolase (NSE) and Chromogranin A(CgA). Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0. Results: Median age of patients was 56 yr. Forty four cases (53%) were female. According to TNM staging system, 11% of cases were in stage I, 29% in IIa, 7% in IIb, 2% in IIIa, 23% in IIIb, 24% IIIc and 2% were in stage IV. Thirteen cases (16%) were NSE positive, 15 cases (18.1%) were CgA positive. Two, 8 and 5 percent of the patients in grade I, II and III were CgA positive, respectively. Two, 6 and 5 percent of the patients in grade I, II and III were NSE positive. In grades II and III, NSE and CgA were significantly higher than grade I (P<0.001). CgA incidence was higher significantly in mucinous carcinomas (P<0.05). Conclusion: Less than 20% of colorectal cancers showed neuroendocrine differentiation. There was no significant relationship between NSE and CgA incidence with stage or tumor site. There was a relationship between histologic grade and above-mentioned markers; this finding may help us in our knowledge about tumor behavior.
Original Research
Zohreh Yousefi; Nourieh Sharifi; Farnoosh Sadatmand; Soodabeh Shaid Salles
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 172-176
Abstract
Background and Objective: Histopathological evaluation of granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary may be confused morphologically with a wide variety of the tumors. Immunohistochemical staining for inhibin and calretinin can be used for better diagnosis. Although it has been suggested that inhibin can ...
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Background and Objective: Histopathological evaluation of granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary may be confused morphologically with a wide variety of the tumors. Immunohistochemical staining for inhibin and calretinin can be used for better diagnosis. Although it has been suggested that inhibin can be a sensitive marker for GCT, it maybe had negative results in some cases. In addition, caltrinin has been proposed as a marker for GCT. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical methods (IHC) including a comparison of calretinin and inhibin markers in the diagnosis of these tumors. Patients and Methods: This prospective study carried out from 2000 to 2009 at Ghaem and Omid hospitals, Mashad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of 23 ovarian GCT specimens were immunostained with commercially available antibodies to find out calretinin and inhibin immunoreactivity. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical method. A P value of =Results: For diagnosing GCT, the sensitivity of calretinin was 100% and that of the inhibin was almost 73.9%. The extent and severity of staining was more extensive for calretinin compared to inhibin PConclusion: Calretinin is a more sensitive biomarker for GCT than inhibin.
Original Research
Pezhman Fard-Esfahani; Peyman Mohammadi-Torbati
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 177-181
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Making stacking gels for polyacrylamide gels in the laboratory by conventional methods is laborious and time consuming. Considering the role of temperature in polyacrylamide gels with respect to electrical resistance and viscosity, we assumed that decreasing the temperature ...
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Background and Objectives: Making stacking gels for polyacrylamide gels in the laboratory by conventional methods is laborious and time consuming. Considering the role of temperature in polyacrylamide gels with respect to electrical resistance and viscosity, we assumed that decreasing the temperature would cause an increase in electrical resistance and viscosity. Ultimately, a downward temperature gradient imposed in the first phase of polyacrylamide gel running time would supposedly improve the migration of macromolecules. This project analyzed the effect of temperature gradient on the migration of macromolecules in the continuous gels (without stacking) and compared it with results obtained using stacking gels. Material and Methods: Electrical resistance was calculated using Ohm's law. Subsequently, to examine the effect of temperature change on macromolecules separation, conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) was used as a model and specimens were run under three different conditions, one of which was prepared with a stacking gel. Results: The electrical resistance showed an inverse relationship with temperature in this study. Separation of the DNA molecules in the continuous gels (with no stacking) was comparable with the conventional method (with stacking). Conclusion: Using a temperature gradient against time may be an alternative method for stacking gels.
Original Research
Shirin Niroumanesh; Fatemeh Mirzaei
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 182-185
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of pregnancy associated adnexal masses is rising due to routine utilization of sonography in prenatal care. The purpose of this study was to describe pregnancy associated adnexal masses over a period of 10 years. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was ...
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Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of pregnancy associated adnexal masses is rising due to routine utilization of sonography in prenatal care. The purpose of this study was to describe pregnancy associated adnexal masses over a period of 10 years. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was reviewed hospital records of all pregnant women with adnexal mass that underwent surgical resection in Mirza Kuchak Khan Hospital in Tehran from January 1996 to March 2006. The collected data included maternal age, parity, gestational age at diagnosis, surgery and delivery, presenting symptoms and treatment. The pregnancy outcome complications and histological findings were reviewed. Results: Totally 29220 deliveries were performed in our institution; adnexal masses were detected in 0.01% of pregnancies. Antepartum surgery was performed in 4 (10.3%) patients. The mean gestational age at delivery in patients undergoing surgery during pregnancy was 36 weeks (ranged 36-37 weeks) while in patients with cystectomy during cesarean delivery was 38 weeks (range: 33-40) (P=0.04). There were no statistically significant differences in birth weight between the patients undergoing surgery during pregnancy and those with surgery at cesarean delivery (P=0.176). The mean cyst diameter was 11 cm (range 4-16 cm) for patients operated during pregnancy while it was 4 cm (2.5-12 cm) for those undergoing surgery during cesarean delivery (P=0.006). The most common diagnosis was benign serous cyst (23.1%) followed by benign Dermoid cyst (20.5%). Conclusion: Patients undergoing laparotomy for adnexal mass during pregnancy had higher risk of preterm labor but there were no difference in birth weight.
Case Reports
Farid Kosari; Hedieh Moradi Tabriz; Sanaz Saniee
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 186-189
Abstract
In Riedel’s thyroiditis, a rare chronic inflammatory disease of thyroid gland, fine needle aspiration is usually non-diagnostic because most often only follicular cells are obtained and not the fibrous material characteristic of this type of thyroiditis. Therefore the diagnosis is often only established ...
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In Riedel’s thyroiditis, a rare chronic inflammatory disease of thyroid gland, fine needle aspiration is usually non-diagnostic because most often only follicular cells are obtained and not the fibrous material characteristic of this type of thyroiditis. Therefore the diagnosis is often only established by histopathologic study of the surgically obtained biopsy. The illustrated case is a 46-year-old female who presented with a firm, non-mobile thyroid nodule of the left lobe. Fine needle aspiration was performed, demonstrating fragments of fibrous tissue and few inflammatory cells including neutrophils and lymphocytes, findings that could be representative of Riedel’s thyroiditis. Frozen section examination during subsequent surgery and later histopathologic study confirmed the diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid, if successfully done, could be highly suggestive for Riedel’s thyroiditis.
Case Reports
Afsaneh Rajabiani; Hossein Vakili
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 190-193
Abstract
Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is a rare tumor that histologically and clinically resembles epithelial ovarian cancer. Here we introduce a case of tubal carcinoma in a postmenopausal woman. The diagnosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma is rarely considered preoperatively and is usually first appreciated ...
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Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is a rare tumor that histologically and clinically resembles epithelial ovarian cancer. Here we introduce a case of tubal carcinoma in a postmenopausal woman. The diagnosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma is rarely considered preoperatively and is usually first appreciated by the pathologist. Because of low frequency of tubal carcinoma, there are few systemic pathological reports of its mode and extent of spread. Surgical staging and management as the use of chemotherapy follow the concepts used in epithelial ovarian cancer. In contrast to epithelial ovarian cancer, it is the importance of early lymphatic spread in this disease. The earlier diagnosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma leads to an apparent better survival compared with its ovarian counterpart. However, as with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, stage and residual tumor are the most important prognostic variables. Only with more extensive clinical researches, ovarian carcinoma management principles should be used in clinical practice of this tumor.
Case Reports
Behrang Kazeminejad; Ali Zare Mirzaie; Majid Gholipour Peinavandi
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 194-196
Abstract
Primary leiomyosarcoma of the heart is extremely rare and found in about 0.2% of all cardiac tumors. Here in a 26-year-old man with progressive dyspnea, which had started since 2 months ago, is presented. Echocardiography revealed a left atrial mass, which was suggestive for a atrial myxoma.On the surgery, ...
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Primary leiomyosarcoma of the heart is extremely rare and found in about 0.2% of all cardiac tumors. Here in a 26-year-old man with progressive dyspnea, which had started since 2 months ago, is presented. Echocardiography revealed a left atrial mass, which was suggestive for a atrial myxoma.On the surgery, a tumoral tissue in the left atrium and pulmonary veins with attachment to peripheral soft tissue, was seen and incompletely resected. Histologic examination exhibited a hypercellular,necrotic and mitotically active spindle-celled tumor with fascicular arrangement. Immunohistochemistry showed a positive reaction to SMA in tumoral cells. The patient was advised to refer for postoperative chemotherapy, which was rejected. One year later, the patient was brought to hospital with tumor recurrence. Chemotherapy was initiated for the patient immediately, but the patient was expired 3 days later.
Letters to the Editor
Peyman Eshghi; Hassan Abolghasemi
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, Pages 197-198