Search

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a new local treatment method for solid and superficial tumors. During this new technique, patients experience an unpleasant sensation and slight edema. Most unpleasant and painful is mainly attributed to muscle contractions provoked by high amplitude and low repetition frequency pulses. Recently, we showed that electrochemotherapy using low voltage and higher repetition frequency (LVHF ECT) is an effective tool for inhibiting tumor growth and inducing cell permeabilization. Low voltage high-frequency electrochemotherapy was developed and optimized in vitro and in vivo which and can be used in the clinic. In the present study, we report a case of cervical lymph node metastasis of breast cancer treated by the technique. In our case, LVHF ECT was successful in reducing the size and palliating the symptoms of cervical lymph node metastasis in clinical conditions, whereas other approaches were inefficient. Our electrochemotherapy technique shows good clinical results. However, more studies on this new method are necessary to prove that LVHF ECT can be considered as a standard treatment modality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between each parent’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and maternal age with weight status of children. This was an analytic cross-sectional study which was conducted on 12-year-old students from different areas in Rasht, north part of Iran. The checklist included demographic characteristics such as age, maternal age during childbirth, student and maternal height and weight, child rank. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, paired t-test and ANOVA test and chi-square in SPSS software 19.0. A P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 200 adolescents participated in this study consisted of 106 (53%) boys. Results showed a significant correlation between students’ BMI and parental BMI and father’s weight. Also, there was a significant correlation between students’ weight with parental BMI and father’s weight, and birth rankIn conclusion, the role of the family in changing nutritional habits of children must be considered because through parental education and changing their perceptions we can prevent obesity.

Closure of fascia after transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap has usually been performed with direct closure or synthetic material. The dermal autograft was removed from zone IV of flap was an alternative to reinforce fascial closure. The dermal autograft was used in 34 patients after TRAM harvest for breast, head and neck reconstruction and Prolene mesh was used in 42 other patients for closure of fascial defect. All patients were followed by physical examinations. Average follow-up in the dermal autograft group was 27.3 versus 20.7 months in the second group. In the dermal autograft group, one patient complained of bulging of the anterior abdominal wall; one developed a wound infection. In the second group, one patients experienced true hernia. Dermal autografts are a useful alternative to mesh repair of fascial defects after TRAM flap harvest.

Rising obesity incidence and its complications have lead to change of our view about cardio-metabolic risk factors and need of reassessment of these complications in childhood age. The aim of current study was to evaluate prevalence of obesity and related cardio-metabolic risk factors of children. This was a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 12 years old children in Rasht, the biggest city in north of Iran. Participants were interviewed and examined by a trained research team and demographic characteristics, detailed examination (height - weight - blood pressure) were recorded. Blood samples were drawn for biochemical testing including Fasting blood sugar, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, HDL & LDL. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Total participants were 858 children and 550(64%) were male. Prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese were 22.5%, 54.4%, 11.3%, 11.8%, respectively. The prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors included hypercholesterolemia (6.7%), hypertriglyceridemia (33.6%), high LDL (5.9%), low HDL (28 %), high systolic (7.6%) & diastolic blood pressure (10.6%) (> percentile) and abnormal carbohydrate metabolism (12%) revealed hypertriglyceridemia as the most common dyslipidemia. Correlation analysis didn't show significant correlation between BMI & FBS but LDL, Cholesterol and TG had week positive correlation with BMI (Pearson correlation: 0.161, 0.285, 0.222 respectively, p value

One of the most preventable causes of mental and growth retardation is congenital hypothyroidism (CH). This study tries to investigate growth and mental outcome of patients with CH. Since November 2006 and November 2007 in Guilan province, north of Iran, all neonates who were diagnosed with CH, evaluated for etiology of CH by laboratory follow up, thyroid sonography or scan. Growth and development of patients with CH were compared with healthy children in same age, geographical area, social and economical classes in four years old. Demographic characteristics including height, weight, and head circumference at birth, follow up time (four years old) and IQ (Good enough test) were recorded in questionnaires. Among 28904 screened neonates, 37 patients with CH were diagnosed. Incidence of CH was 1:781 in live births, 20 (54%) in female neonates and 17 (46%) in male neonates. The incidences of permanent and transient hypothyroidism were 43.2% (16 cases) and 56. 8% (21 cases) respectively. The incidence of permanent and transient hypothyroidism were 16 (43.2%) and 21 (56, 8%), respectively. In permanent CH, 11 cases (%.68.2) had dyshormonogenesis and 5 cases (%.31.2) had thyroid dysgenesis. Significant statistical difference was only in family history of thyroid disease (34, 3% Positive family history in CH vs. 13.2% in control group, P-value 0.03). All other demographic characteristics and IQ had no statistical difference. Patients with CH diagnosed through neonatal screening and treated had normal growth as general population that indicates effective screening program and treatment in this area (3.2%).

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between each parent's Body Mass Index (BMI) and maternal age with weight status of children. This was an analytic cross-sectional study which was conducted on 12-year-old students from different areas in Rasht, north part of Iran. The checklist included demographic characteristics such as age, maternal age during childbirth, student and maternal height and weight, child rank. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, paired t-test and ANOVA test and chi-square in SPSS software 19.0. A P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 200 adolescents participated in this study consisted of 106 (53%) boys. Results showed a significant correlation between students' BMI and parental BMI and father's weight. Also, there was a significant correlation between students' weight with parental BMI and father's weight, and birth rank in conclusion, the role of the family in changing nutritional habits of children must be considered because through parental education and changing their perceptions we can prevent obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising obesity incidence and its complications have lead to change of our view about cardio- metabolic risk factors and need of reassessment of these complications in childhood age. The aim of current study was to evaluate prevalence of obesity and related cardio-metabolic risk factors of children. This was a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 12 years old children in Rasht, the biggest city in north of Iran. Participants were interviewed and examined by a trained research team and demographic characteristics, detailed examination (height - weight - blood pressure) were recorded. Blood samples were drawn for biochemical testing including Fasting blood sugar, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, HDL & LDL. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Total participants were 858 children and 550(64%) were male. Prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese were 22.5%, 54.4%, 11.3%, 11.8%, respectively. The prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors included hypercholesterolemia (6.7%), hypertriglyceridemia (33.6%), high LDL (5.9%), low HDL (28 %), high systolic (7.6%) & diastolic blood pressure (10.6%) (>90th percentile) and abnormal carbohydrate metabolism (12%) revealed hypertriglyceridemia as the most common dyslipidemia. Correlation analysis didn't show significant correlation between BMI & FBS but LDL, Cholesterol and TG had week positive correlation with BMI (Pearson correlation: 0.161, 0.285, 0.222 respectively, p value <0.001). Obesity and dyslipidemia are common problems in this area and we should note to screen cardiometabolic risk factors in addition of obesity, especially in children with rapid weight gain. This study highly recommended more investigation to evaluate final effect of these factors in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most preventable causes of mental and growth retardation is congenital hypothyroidism (CH). This study tries to investigate growth and mental outcome of patients with CH. Since November 2006 and November 2007 in Guilan province, north of Iran, all neonates who were diagnosed with CH, evaluated for etiology of CH by laboratory follow up, thyroid sonography or scan. Growth and development of patients with CH were compared with healthy children in same age, geographical area, social and economical classes in four years old. Demographic characteristics including height, weight, and head circumference at birth, follow up time (four years old) and IQ (Good enough test) were recorded in questionnaires. Among 28904 screened neonates, 37 patients with CH were diagnosed. Incidence of CH was 1:781 in live births, 20 (54%) in female neonates and 17 (46%) in male neonates. The incidences of permanent and transient hypothyroidism were 43.2% (16 cases) and 56. 8% (21 cases) respectively. The incidence of permanent and transient hypothyroidism were 16 (43.2%) and 21 (56, 8%), respectively. In permanent CH, 11 cases (%.68.2) had dyshormonogenesis and 5 cases (%.31.2) had thyroid dysgenesis. Significant statistical difference was only in family history of thyroid disease (34, 3% Positive family history in CH vs. 13.2% in control group, P-value 0.03). All other demographic characteristics and IQ had no statistical difference. Patients with CH diagnosed through neonatal screening and treated had normal growth as general population that indicates effective screening program and treatment in this area (3.2%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closure of fascia after transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap has usually been performed with direct closure or synthetic material. The dermal autograft removed from zone IV of the flap is an alternative to reinforce fascial closure. Record of the patients who had been undergone breast and head and neck reconstruction by TRAM flap between 1998-2008 were retrieved. In 34 cases dermal autograft and in 42 cases a synthetic mesh was used for closure of the abdominal fascial defect. All patients were followed by physical examinations for a mean period of 24months. There were one (2.9%)bulging of the anterior abdominal wall and one (2.9%) wound infection in dermal autograft group and one(2.3%) true hernia in mesh repair group. Dermal autograft is a useful alternative to mesh repair of fascial defects after TRAM flap harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]