Development and usability of a feedback tool, “My Personal Brain Health Dashboard”, to improve setting of self-management goals among people living with HIV in Canada

Quality of Life Research - (1) To develop a personalized health outcome profile as a feedback tool to improve self-management in people living with chronic conditions such as HIV and (2) to...     

Ultrasound-Guided Versus Landmark-Guided Local Corticosteroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

To review the literature and assess the comparative effectiveness of ultrasound-guided versus landmark-guided local corticosteroid injections in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Evaluation of LKB1 and Serine-Glycine Metabolism Pathway Genes (SHMT1 and GLDC) Expression in AML

LKB1 is a significant tumor suppressor and epigenetic regulator playing a vital role in different types of cancers. SHMT1 and GLDC are two critical genes of the epigenetic pathway influenced by LKB1. As epigenetic is the major cause of AML pathogenesis, this study aimed at investigating LKB1, SHMT1, and GLDC gene expression levels in acute myeloid leukemia patients. The present study was conducted on LKB1, SHMT1, and GLDC gene expression levels in 60 de novo AML samples and 30 normal controls using real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that LKB1 and SHMT1 have respectively a significantly lower (P < 0.05) and higher (P < 0.05) expression level than that of normal controls. Furthermore, the correlation between LKB1 with SHMT1 and GLDC was significant and positive (P value: 0.015, r: 0.299). Positive findings confirm that metabolic pathways alongside the LKB1 association drive the epigenetic axis and its substrate production. Therefore, it can be concluded that the newly-discovered pathway in the pathogenesis of this disease provides new insights into the design of therapeutic targets.     

Osteochondral autograft transfer (mosaicplasty) for treatment of patients with osteochondral lesions of talus

Purpose:Osteochondral lesion of talus(OLT)is one of the common causes of ankle pain.This disorder is common in young athletes after ankle injury.There are various therapeutic options.One of the options is mosaic plasticizer.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mosaicplasty on improvement of symptoms of patients with osteochondral lesions of talus.Methods:Nineteen patients with osteochondral lesions of talus participated in this study,who were treated with mosaicplasty.Before and after treatment,pain(visual analogue scale),function(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society),range of motion and radiographic signs were evaluated.Results:The results of this study showed that mosaicplasty could significantly reduce pain,increase function and improve radiographic symptoms.The range of motion increased after treatment,which was not significant.Conclusion:We can confirm the effect of mosaicplasty on the improvement of patients with osteochondral lesions of the ankle,suggesting it as a treatment option.     

The relationship between lichen planus and hepatitis C in dermatology outpatients in Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus (LP) is classified as a papulosquamous disease. It has been associated with liver disease, particularly hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in several studies. Most of these reports, especially the larger series, were conducted in Europe and Japan. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a case-control study in Kerman, Iran to explore the association between LP and HCV. METHODS: The study included 66 patients with LP (as cases; mean age = 39.7 +/- 15.8 years; 31 female, 35 male) and 140 volunteer blood donors (as controls; mean age = 29.5 +/- 8.4 years; 43 females, 97 males). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the presence of anti-HCV antibodies in all subjects in both groups. To confirm positive diagnoses, a second generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA II) test was performed. RESULTS: Lichen planus lesions were most frequently located on the trunk and extremities, and the most common clinical type was generalized LP (48.5%). One of the patients with LP (1.5%) and three of the controls (2.1%) were HCV-Ab positive. No significant difference was observed in HCV-Ab positive between the two groups (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.1-6.9). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that an investigation for HCV infection should not necessarily be performed in all patients with LP. It is recommended that further studies should focus on larger groups in other regions of Iran to determine whether testing for HCV infection is necessary in patients with LP.     

A Psychometric Indices of the Farsi Version of the Believability of Anxious Feelings and Thoughts Questionnaire (BAFT)

The following paper aimed to adapt and validate the Farsi version of the Believability of Anxious Feelings and Thoughts Questionnaire (BAFT), which measures cognitive fusion/defusion, one of the six components in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The authors assessed the psychometric properties of the BAFT in a sample of undergraduate students. Exploratory Factor Analysis supported a three-factor structure with 16 items. The results from a Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed the goodness of fit of the model. The test also demonstrated a good level of internal consistency and incremental validity. Overall, the results show that the Farsi version of BAFT is a consistent and valid scale.     

A Large Sellar Granular Cell Tumor in a 21-year-old Woman

We report here the case of a 21-year-old woman with a large sellar tumor, extending to the suprasellar area associated with growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadism, hypocorticism, and hyperprolactinemia. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed, and histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic study lead to the diagnosis of granular cell tumor. These tumors are, in most cases, very small and are found incidentally at autopsy of older patients. Our case is exceptional because the tumor developed in a young woman, extended to the suprasellar region, and caused clinical symptoms.