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Context: Pollution-related health hazards are very common among people living and/or working in industrial areas, particularly near industries and metro cities. These air pollutants contribute to allergens, increase inflammation, and affect lung function. Aim: The present study aimed to examine the effect of yoga training on lung functions and inflammation in terms of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in people working and living in a polluted area. Settings and Design: This is a randomized controlled interventional pilot study. Methods and Materials: Forty-eight male volunteers from the industrial area, aged 20--50 years, were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. Each group comprises 24 study participants. Lung function and sIL-2R were studied at the baseline and post-yoga intervention period of 16 weeks. Statistical Analysis Used: Study data were analyzed using descriptive methods, a one-tailed t-test, a paired t-test, and an independent t-test. Result: Study results showed directional and significant improvements in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, and peak expiratory flow rate compared to the control group participants. The results pertaining to sIL-2R showed a directional and significant decrease in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The present study showed that yoga helps to promote better health, improve lung function and reduce inflammation among people residing in polluted environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive gynecological disorder and is manifest by dysmenorrhea and a major cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain. The study was designed to compare the value of cervico-vaginal fluid of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) in patients with and without endometriosis. Materials and Methods: Fifty women were assessed in this case control study. The case group included 25 patients with endometriosis. The control group included 25 women without any evidence of endometriosis or any other genital disease. Endometriosis was confirmed by laparoscopy and histopathological examination. Cervico-vaginal fluid samples were obtained from patients during the follicular phase and preup surgery to assess the levels of IL-1α in cervico-vaginal fluid. The level of IL-1α was assessed using commercially available Avi Bionhuman Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kits (FIN-01720, Vantaa, Finland) for IL-1α. Receiver-operator curve analysis was used to estimate the power of IL-1α to distinguish subjects with endometriosis from controls. Results: The cervico-vaginal fluid level of IL-1α in cases was 210.44 ± 40.11 pg/mL and in controls was 54.28 ± 25.73 pg/mL, the differences between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The cut-off point for cervico-vaginal fluid IL-1 for endometriosis was 105 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86.2-100), and specificity of 100% (95% CI: 86.2-100). Conclusion: Results show a significant increase in the cervico-vaginal fluid levels of IL- 1α, in women with endometriosis, that it can be a useful marker in the diagnosis of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. It has been suggested that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) plays a particular role in cancer promotion. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of repeated measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and TIMP-1 plasma levels in a follow-up response to chemotherapy treatment in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer by surgery. Materials and Methods: All consecutive patients between 18 and 75 years old in both genders with rectal adenocarcinoma who referred to Sayed Al-Shohada Medical Center, during 6 months of study period enrolled in the study. Level of CEA and TIMP-1 were assessed before and after two cycles of chemotherapy. Furthermore, patients underwent computed tomography scan to assess response to chemotherapy. The sensitivity, specificity, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) calculated for baseline level of CEA and TIMP. Results: The mean age of the studied patients was 52.7 ± 7.5 years, 12 patients (48%) were male. Response to chemotherapy after two cycles was 80%. In patients who responded to chemotherapy level of TIMP after treatment was significantly decreased compared to before treatment (P < 0.0001). Before and after treatment in patients who responded to chemotherapy the level of TIMP was significantly lower than who did not response to chemotherapy (P < 0.05). The critical values for the prediction response to chemotherapy for CEA was >63 (AUC: 0.54) and for TIMP was ≤8823 (AUC: 0.68). Conclusion: The present study has identified a strong significant association between high plasma TIMP-1 levels and short survival in patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, results demonstrated that the TIMP-1 provides stronger prognostic information than CEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In obstructive uropathy, despite a severe increase in the serum creatinine (Cr) levels, only a mild cystatin C (CysC) increase was previously reported. Therefore, we aimed to determine the availability of serum Cr/CysC ratio in predicting postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 61-adult patients with heterogeneous AKI cases. Patients with bilateral pelvicalyceal dilatation in renal sonography were considered as postrenal AKI group (n = 15) and others were intrinsic AKI group (n = 46). Venous blood sampling for blood urea nitrogen, Cr and CysC measurements were performed on admission. Results: The mean age of study population was 66.3 ± 15.5 years; 38 (62%) of which were male. Two groups were similar regarding age, gender, and comorbidities. Cr/CysC ratio was significantly higher in postrenal AKI group (6.9 ± 3.1 vs. 4.4 ± 2.1, P = 0.007). Conclusion: We suggest that serum Cr/CysC ratio seems to be a useful diagnostic tool for detection of postrenal AKI cases, especially for the cases without definite hydronephrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]