Accuracy of the Common Predictive Equations for Estimating Resting Energy Expenditure among Normal and Overweight Girl University Students

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of commonly used predictive formulas of resting metabolic rate (RMR) compared to measured RMR in normal and overweight young females.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 98 female university students aged 18–30 years with body mass index 18 to 30 kg/m² were recruited. Anthropometric indices and body compositions were measured. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry (FitMate, Cosmed, Rome, Italy) and estimated by 11 predictive formulas. The accuracy of the RMR formulas and mean percentage differences between estimated and measured values were calculated. Paired t test was used to compare estimated and measured RMRs.

Result: There were no significant differences between measured and estimated RMR by the 4 commonly used formulas (Mifflin, Cunningham, and World Health Organization [WHO]/Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO]). Among all of the equations, the Mifflin formula showed the lowest bias (?2.97 ± 116.43 kcal/day) at the group level and was the most accurate formula (80.23%) in normal and overweight participants. The over- and underestimated values were about 14% and 5.5%, respectively. In normal and overweight females, Mifflin was the most accurate formula, with 75.51% and 84.61% accuracy, respectively.

Conclusion: Given the current lack of a standardized formula that consistently delivers accurate results, the Mifflin formula can be recommended for estimating energy requirements in normal and overweight females in clinical practice.     

Hb Dhonburi (Neapolis) [beta126(H4)Val-->Gly] identified in a family from northern Iran

Thalassemias are the most common hereditary diseases in Iran, resulting from synthesis defects in one or more hemoglobin (Hb) subunits. The majority of patients suffer from beta-thalassemia (thal), but cases with microcytic hypochromic anemia and normal electrophoretic patterns are suspected to have alpha- or silent beta-thal. A family from the northern part of Iran, an area highly prevalent for thalassemias, was referred to us for prenatal diagnosis. The hematological data of the father indicated a pattern of beta-thal minor. Reverse hybridization analysis for the most common beta-globin mutations identified IVS-II-1 (G-->A) in the heterozygous state. The maternal laboratory data indicated a case more compatible with alpha-thal. Iron deficient anemia was ruled out, and common alpha-thal point mutations and deletions were investigated. As no mutation was detected, chain synthesis was performed and showed an alpha/beta chain ratio of 2.1, that was in the range of beta-thal minor. DNA sequencing of the entire beta-globin gene identified a heterozygous GTG-->GGG (Val-->Gly) mutation at codon 126, also known as Hb Dhonburi (Neapolis). Prenatal diagnosis of the fetal DNA showed the absence of the IVS-II-1 and codon 126 anomalies. This result demonstrates the importance of screening of individuals with mild microcytic hypochromic anemia for both alpha- and silent beta-thal mutations.     

Proteomic screening of molecular targets of crocin

Background

Traditional drug discovery approaches are mainly relied on the observed phenotypic changes following administration of a plant extract, drug candidate or natural product. Recently, target-based approaches are becoming more popular. The present study aimed to identify the cellular targets of crocin, the bioactive dietary carotenoid present in saffron, using an affinity-based method.

Methods

Heart, kidney and brain tissues of BALB/c mice were homogenized and extracted for the experiments. Target deconvolution was carried out by first passing cell lysate through an affinity column prepared by covalently attaching crocin to agarose beads. Isolated proteins were separated on a 2D gel, trypsinized in situ and identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. MASCOT search engine was used to analyze Mass Data.

Results

Part of proteome that physically interacts with crocin was found to consist of beta-actin-like protein 2, cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, ATP synthase subunit beta, tubulin beta-3 chain, tubulin beta-6 chain, 14-3-3 protein beta/alpha, V-type proton ATPase catalytic subunitA, 60 kDa heat shock protein, creatine kinase b-type, peroxiredoxin-2, cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 2, acetyl-coA acetyltransferase, cytochrome c1, proteasome subunit alpha type-6 and proteasome subunit alpha type-4.

Conclusion

The present findings revealed that crocin physically binds to a wide range of cellular proteins such as structural proteins, membrane transporters, and enzymes involved in ATP and redox homeostasis and signal transduction.     

Injection of intrathecal normal saline in decreasing postdural puncture headache

Purpose

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is the most common and still unresolved postoperative complication of spinal anesthesia. Although there are several positive results of intrathecal saline injection for the treatment of PDPH and prophylaxis after accidental dural puncture, the effect of deliberate intrathecal saline injection before spinal anesthesia has not been examined. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of intrathecal normal saline in decreasing PDPH.

Methods

One hundred healthy women (ASA physical status I) of age between 18 and 35 years scheduled for elective term cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were included. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group C received 2.5 ml (12.5 mg) hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5 % as a control, and group S received intrathecal normal saline 5 ml before intrathecal injection of 2.5 ml (12.5 mg) hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5 %. The incidence and severity of PDPH were assessed after 48 h and again 3–7 days after operation.

Results

Basal characteristics were statistically similar in both groups (P > 0.05). The incidences of moderate and severe PDPH during first postoperative 48 h were not different between the groups (P = 0.24). However, the frequency of PDPH after 3–7 days was statistically higher in group C in compared with group S (16 vs. 2 %, P = 0.03). Totally the frequency of PDPH was higher in group C (24 vs. 2 %, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Administration of normal saline (5 ml) before intrathecal administration of hyperbaric bupivacaine as a preventive approach is an effective and simple way to minimize PDPH in patients undergoing cesarean section.     

Premature atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus

Significant advances have been made in defining the spectrum of clinical manifestations and the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). With the use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents as well as better management of complications such as infection, there has been a dramatic improvement in the short-term prognosis of patients who have SLE from less than 50% survival at 5 years to 93% at 5 years and 85% and 10 years. However, many patients who survive early complications of organ failure and sepsis later develop premature coronary artery disease (CAD). In this evidence-based review, the magnitude of the problem of premature atherosclerosis in SLE is defined and evaluation of the strength of association of risk factors determined to date. The authors focus on the emerging role of new modalities for noninvasive assessment of vascular health in patients who have SLE and offer a strategy for screening and management of those at risk of CAD. The article concludes with a discussion on the important questions that remain to be answered and future directions for research.     

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30): translation and validation study of the Iranian version

The objective of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Iranian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). The English-language version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian (Iranian language), and its final form was approved by the EORTC Study Group on Quality of Life before it was used in this study. The questionnaire was administered at two time points to a consecutive sample of 168 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, and almost all of them (99%) found the questions easy to understand and acceptable. Crohnbach's alpha coefficient for multi-item scales (to test reliability) ranged from 0.48 to 0.95 at baseline and from 0.52 to 0.98 at follow-up administration of the questionnaire. Validity was checked using two methods: inter-scale correlation and known-groups comparison. Almost all inter-scale correlations were statistically significant in the expected direction. Known-groups comparison analysis showed that all functioning and symptom scales discriminated between subgroups of patients differing in clinical status as defined by their performance status and disease stage. In general, the findings of this study indicate that the Iranian version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 is a reliable and valid measure of quality of life in cancer patients and can be used in clinical trials and studies of outcome research in oncology.     

Effect of stone composition,color,size,impaction and location on the efficacy of pneumatic ureterolithotripsy

Objective： Assessment of the relationship between stone location, composition, color, size and impaction with success rate of pneumatic ureterolithotripsy. Methods： This study was performed on 440 patients who were candidate for pneumatic ureterolithotripsy admitted in an academic urology department from February 2004 to June 2006. Exclusion criteria included active urinary tract infection and pregnancy. Information such as stone composition, color, impaction, size, location and surface were recorded. Success rate was defined as stone fragmentation to 〈 2 mm. We used chi-square test and student t-test for statistical analysis. Results： The success rate of pneumatic ureterolithotripsy was 83.0 %. Mean stone size was 9.86 ± 3. 79 mm. The stone free rates in upper, middle and lower ureter were 66.7%, 100% and 90.7% respectively （P 〈 0. 000 1 ）. Stone free rate was 100 % and 69.35% in 〈 5 mm and 〉 5 mm stones respectively （P 〈 0.000 1 ）. Impaction did not correlate significandy with stone free rate （P=0.17）. The success rate was 100 % in phosphate and cystine stones. There was a significant statistical difference between success rate and stone composition （ P = 0. 026）. The most common fragmented stone color was gold （95.5% ）. Stone color correlated significantly with stone free rate （P 〈 0.0001 ）. Conclusion： In this series ureterolithotripsy, stone free rate had a significant correlation with stone color, size, composition and location, but it was independent of stone impaction.