Paraganglioma of the Cauda Equina Region – Report of two Cases and Review of the Literature

Summary  A paraganglioma of cauda equina region is extremely rare and except for secreting tumour, the pre-operative diagnosis of paraganglioma is very difficult. Two cases of non-functional paragangliomas of the cauda equina region are reported, one was attached to the filum terminale and the other to a rootlet looking very much like a vascular neurinoma. Both were successfully removed by surgery. An extensive review of the literature permits one to find 77 other cases. The clinical, radiological, pathological (ultrastructural and immunohistochemical) features and surgical findings of all theses cases are discussed. Surgery remains the treatment of choice. No effect of radiotherapy on recurrence prevention has ever been demonstrated.     

Hepatotoxic effects caused by simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene in New Zealand white rabbits: a biochemical and histopathological study

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate hepatotoxicity effects of noise and toluene, and in particular, to study hepatotoxicity effects of simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene by histopathological and biochemical experiments. To experiment hepatotoxicity effects of noise and toluene, 100 dB white noise and 1000 ppm toluene vapors were generated during two consecutive weeks in healthy male New Zealand White rabbits. Non-simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene increased liver enzymes and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity, and also decreased serum level of glutathione peroxidase. Alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase levels increased by simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene. Furthermore, catalase and alkaline phosphatase level decreased by simultaneous exposure to noise and toluene. The hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E) experiments indicated significant swelling, lipidosis, eosinophilic cytoplasm, pyknosis, karyorrhexis, and disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane in the liver tissue due to exposure to noise, toluene and simultaneous exposure to them.

     

Persistence of hepatitis B vaccine immunity in hemodialysis patients

Although the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccines in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) treatment has been documented, the persistence of immunity in this population remains largely unknown. In this study we evaluated the persistence of hepatitis B vaccine immunity in HD patients. We followed 37 hepatitis B vaccinated HD patients (following a four-dose vaccination schedule of 40 mug injections intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle at 0, 1, 2, and 6 months) for up to one year to evaluate the persistence of immunity (as indicated by serum levels of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) equal to or higher than 10 IU/L). One year after vaccination, 18.9% of patients had lost their anti-HBs (transient responders), while 81.1% still had detectable antibodies in the serum (persistent responders). From 81.1% of persistent responders 11.5% and 88.5% were weak and high responders, respectively. There was no significant difference between persistent and transient responders regarding age, sex, or nutritional factors. We did not find any factors that related to maintaining protective levels of anti-HBs in HD patients. It seems that an antibody titer above 100 IU/L following vaccination is necessary in order to maintain that level of antibody one year later.     

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Highlighting medicinal plants toward biomolecules discovery for upcoming drugs formulation

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) can be triggered by a various types of gynecological, gastrointestinal, urological, and musculoskeletal disorders. Recently, the role of the central nervous system has proven to be an integral part on the development of any chronic pain syndrome, including CPPS. However, owing to the complex and heterogeneous etiology and pathophysiology of CPPS, the establishment of effective therapeutic interventions remains challenging for both physicians and patients. Nonetheless, recent studies have pointed that medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites can be effectively used in CPPS therapy, besides contributing to restore the patients' quality of life and potentiate the conventional CPPS management. In this sense, this review aims to provide a careful overview on the biomedical data for the use of medicinal plants use and their secondary metabolites on CPPS management.     

Sleep patterns and habits in high school students in Iran

Background  

Sleep patterns and habits in high school students in Iran have not been well studied to date. This paper aims to re-address this balance and analyse sleep patterns and habits in Iranian children of high school age.     

Risk factors for human brucellosis in Iran: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution. Despite its control in many countries, it remains endemic in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for brucellosis acquisition in the central province of Iran. METHODS: A matched case-control study was conducted in the central part of Iran. A total of 300 subjects (150 cases and 150 controls) were enrolled in the investigation. Brucellosis cases were defined on the basis of epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory criteria. Subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain risk factor information. We used odds ratios and conditional logistic regression models to explore the association between the disease and the variables studied. RESULT: Significant risk factors for infection were related to the existence of another case of brucellosis in the home (OR=7.55, p=0.0001) and consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (OR=3.7, p=0.014). Keeping cattle and cattle vaccination were also important risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Pasteurization of dairy products and education regarding fresh cheese must be pursued for eradication of brucellosis. A major risk factor for acquiring brucellosis is the existence of another infected family member. Therefore screening family members of an index case of brucellosis may lead to the detection of additional cases.     

Effects of levothyroxine suppressive therapy on bone mineral density in premenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Levothyroxine (L-T4) is widely prescribed for treating thyroid disorders, but its effect on bone mineral density (BMD), is being debated. OBJECTIVES: We studied the effect of supraphysiologic doses of L-T4 on BMD in a group of premenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 50 women (mean age=36.8 +/- 7.6 years) receiving L-T4 for at least 1 year for treating their benign cold thyroid nodules. Serum T3, T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and phosphate and urine calcium and sodium levels of all patients were measured. Bone density at femoral neck and lumbar (L1-L4) regions was measured, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: No significant decrease was detected in the bone density of the subjects treated with L-T4 compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: L-T4 treatment for 1 year is not associated with increased risk of osteoporosis in premenopausal women but other potential adverse effects still need to be monitored in women receiving L-T4 especially long-term.