Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Year:2016 | Volume:34 | Issue:384|Papers Count:7

Background: Methadone toxicity is rising not only in those who are under maintenance methadone therapy (MMT) treatment but also in those who face accidentally to drugs, which result in increased morbidity and mortality. Naloxone is used for the treatment of methadone poisoning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral naltrexone on treatment of unintentional methadone poisoning.Methods: The study was a prospective clinical trial, included 64 patients with clinical signs of methadone intoxication who were referred to Noor and Ali-Asghar Hospital Poison Center between October 2013 and October 2014 in Isfahan, Iran. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: intervention and control. Both groups received naloxone 0.4 mg IV due to loss of consciousness with or without respiratory depression however the intervention group also received naltrexone 25 mg capsule after awaking. The vital signs in both groups were studied during hospitalization. The variables were compared using t test, ANOVA, chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.Findings: The mean ± SD age of patients in the group receiving naltrexone was 29.58 ± 9.21 years and in control group was 30.33 ± 9.25 years. Heart rate four hours after taking naloxone in the group receiving naltrexone and control group was 81.37 ± 5.93 and 86.71 ± 4.92, respectively (P=0.032). By eliminating time as confounding factor, respiratory rate was significantly different between the two groups, that in the control group was lower than intervention (P=0.005). All patients survived without complications.Conclusion: This study showed that patients receiving naltrexone due to methadone poisoning had less respiratory depression and tachycardia.

Background: Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is based on the use of the routine microscopic methods, but these methods possess poor sensitivity and also need an expert technician. The aim of the present study was to determine sensitivity and specificity of dot blot method for diagnosis of bovine cryptosporidiosis.Methods: In this study 131 fecal samples were collected from suckling calves during summer 2014. The collected samples were concentrated using formalin ether method. The samples were then examined by modified-Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) and finally all samples were examined by dot blot methods.Findings: Oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were found in 40 (30.5%) out of 131 fecal samples using mZN staining method but 49 (37.4%) of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium antigen using dot blot method.No significant differences were observed among the results of the two methods and the sensitivity and specificity of dot blot calculated as 87% and 86%, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, dot blot method showed rather equal performance as modified-Ziehl-Neelsen method.

Background: Malnutrition is a major problem in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Choosing a proper enteral nutrition solution to provide their energy and nutrients requirements are very important. The present study aimed to compare the quality of commercial and non-commercial enteral nutrition solutions and evaluate their ability to meet nutritional needs of ICU patients.Methods: This study was performed among 150 patients fed non-commercial enteral nutrition solutions and 120 patients fed commercial enteral nutrition solutions. Qualitative information such as age, sex and admission diagnosis was recorded from patient’s chart. Also the data regarding height, weight, arm circumference, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score and nutritional needs and intakes were measured. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software.Findings: Although all values of nutrients in commercial enteral nutrition solutions was more than non-commercial enteral nutrition solutions, these differences regarding energy, protein, carbohydrates, phosphorus and calcium were not statistically significant. Nutritions delivered (energy, macro and micronutrients) in patients fed commercial enteral nutrition solutions was higher (P<0.001). Energy, carbohydrate and fat required in patients fed commercial enteral nutrition solutions has been provided, but protein intake was less than the required amount. In patients fed non-commercial enteral nutrition solutions only values of fat requirement and fat intake was not significantly different, but other delivered amounts was less than the required amounts (P<0.001).Conclusion: The contents of energy and nutrients in the commercial enteral nutrition solutions are more than the non-commercial enteral nutrition solutions. They can better meet the nutritional needs of patients.

Background: Prostate cancer has a high degree of heterogeneity in pathology and clinical appearance. In response to stress, P53 plays an important role in preventing cancer development. To our knowledge, this is the first report about polymorphic TAAAA repeat of the P53 gene and its relation to prostate cancer risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate polymorphism of TAAAA in the first intron of p53 gene among prostate cancer patients and healthy individuals and its relation to risk of prostate cancer.Methods: A total of 306 peripheral blood samples consisting of 156 from patients with prostate cancer and 150 from healthy control individuals were included in the study. DNA was extracted from blood using salting-out method. TAAAA repeat sequences were amplified by PCR technique and the length of products was determined by polyacrylamide gel and direct sequencing.Findings: Based on our results, 5 alleles and 12 different genotypes for P53 TAAAA repeat polymorphism were observed. The most common allele in both patients and controls was the allele 8.8. Men who carry 9.9 or 10.10 genotypes of p53 gene are at significantly higher risk of prostate cancer. The allelic length of p53 polymorphisms had no significant effect on age of onset, inheritance as well as metastasis.Conclusion: Our study showed a strong association between the TAAAA repeat polymorphism in P53 gene and risk of prostate cancer.

Inflammation is not only a protective mechanism during tissue injury, but also has a key role in tissue repair.Cytokines and growth factors which are released during inflammation are critical for tissue repair and one of the well-known angiogenic factors is vascular endothelial growth factor. Angiogenesis involves endothelial cells as well as inflammatory cells which release several angiogenic factors. Hypoxia is the most important stimulator for inflammation and angiogenesis. Some of the inflammatory mediators are directly and/or indirectly alter angiogenesis and on the other hand, some of angiogenic factors have inflammatory effects. Therefore, it seems that there is a close relationship between angiogenesis and inflammation. This review evaluated the relationship between inflammation and angiogenesis and the role of inflammatory cells and mediators in angiogenesis process.