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Introduction Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most frequently performed operations around the world. The aim of this study is to evaluate high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) differences between on-pump and off-pump coronary surgery. Methods In this prospective study, 90 patients with coronary artery disease referred for CABG were enrolled from July 2006-November 2007. Levels of hs-CRP and TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA using commercial kits Results hs-CRP levels significantly (p

"nBackground: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with significant maternal and fetal consequences. The aim of pre­sent study was to determine the current prenatal CMV seroprevalence in Eastern Azerbaijan and evaluate the routine labora­tory diagnostic techniques of anti-CMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG)."nMethods: During the present prospective cross-sectional study, 125 women referred to No. 1 Laboratory of Specialized Clin­ics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and seeking prenatal care were evaluated during 2003-2006. CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were determined with ELISA technique. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical pack­age version 13.0."nResults: Eight four percent of the subjects were seropositive. Out of 20 subjects with primary seronegativity, 12 (9.6%) re­mind seronegative during reexaminations and follow up, but eight (6.4%) subjects showed primary infection in the second to third trimesters of gestation. In two (1.6%) of these eight subjects, IgM was persisted for more than 20 months."nConclusion: Results showed a similar seroprevalence of CMV in Eastern Azerbaijan. Also, we found that ELISA IgM test was not an appropriate method for differentiation of past or recent CMV infections especially in the pregnant women. &nbsp

To determine the prevalence of urological and vascular complications in renal trans-plant recipients (RTx) at Tabriz Renal Transplant Center, we studied 55 recipients of renal allo-grafts (25 male and 29 female patients with a mean age of 38.3 ± 13.4 years) from October 2005 to November 2006. The surgical complications in our study included hematomas: 20.4%, renal artery stenosis: 20.4%, calculi: 7.4%, hydronephrosis or ureteral stricture: 5.6%, urinary leakage: 5.6%, lymphoceles: 1.9%, and renal vein thrombosis: 1.9%. We conclude that the most common urologic complications in our center were ureteric strictures and urine leaks, and the most common vascular complication was renal artery stenosis.

Purpose Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and homocysteine (Hcy) have been implicated as risk factors for vascular diseases. The study was performed to explore the possible relationship between retinal arteriosclerosis and serum Lp(a) and Hcy levels. Methods Study subjects consisted of 80 nonsmoking male patients with retinal arteriosclerosis and 54 healthy nonsmoker males as controls. Retinal arteriosclerosis was graded according to the Scheie classification. Serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins, Lp(a), and Hcy were measured by standard methods. Results The serum level of Hcy was higher in patients (24.2±8.1 μmol/l) than controls (10.5±4.1 μmol/l); p

Background: The purpose of the present study is to determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance voiding cystourethrography (MRVCUG) for diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children and adolescents with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Materials and Methods: During the cross-sectional study from May 2009 to June 2011, 30 patients′ (60 kidney-ureter units) MRVCUG findings by 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared with voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) findings in patients with urinary tract infection. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for MRVCUG were calculated. Findings: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy for MRVCUG for detecting VUR were respectively 92.68% (95% CI: 80.57-97.48%), 68.42% (95% CI: 46.01-84.64%), 86.36% (95% CI: 71.95-94.33%), 81.25% (95% CI: 53.69-95.02%), and 85% (95% CI: 80.40-89.60%. The level of agreement between MRVCUG and VCUG findings for diagnosis VUR was very good ( P < 0.001, according to Cohen′s kappa value = 0.638). Studying correlation of low grade VUR (grade I and II) and high grade VUR (grade III-V) showed a very good agreement between MRVCUG and VCUG findings ( P < 0.001, Cohen′s kappa value = 0.754). Conclusion: MRVCUG could accurately reveal the presence and severity of VUR, especially in cases with high-grade (grade III-V) VUR in both children and adolescents.

Lymphangioma is a rare benign lesion; when detected in adults, it is often asymptomatic and mediastinal. We present a case of posterior mediastinal lymphangioma in an adult that was detected accidentally by echocardiography. It is the first time that echocardiography of mediastinal lymphangioma is reported along with the findings in chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, and contrast-enhanced multi-slice CT. The cystic type of lymphangioma usually shows vague intensity on CT; however, its multilocularity could be clearly demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

There are few published reports examining the extended outcome of donors after nephrectomy. The aim of present prospective study was to evaluate the changes of glomerular fil-tration rate (GFR) and ultrasonographic kidney size in unrelated living kidney donors during post-nephrectomy period. Thirty nine unrelated living kidney donors were prospectively followed after nephrectomy. Length, anterioposterior (AP) diameter, and cortical thickness of the kidney were determined before, one week and three months after nephrectomy. GFR and serum creatinine (Cr) level were assessed simultaneously. The mean age of participants was 25.41 ± 2.67 years with the male to female ratio of 29 to 10. Although GFR decreased 1 week after nephrectomy (P= 0.001), considering the pre-nephrectomy GFR as a result of both kidneys′ function and half of its value as a marker of the remnant kidney′s function [(123.68 ± 17.99)/2], the calculated GFR for the remnant kidney increased about 63% after one week and 91%, after three months of nephrectomy (P= 0.003). Remnant kidney length, AP diameter, and cortical thickness were significantly in-creased during post-nephrectomy follow up (P< 0.001, P< 0.001, and P= 0.001, respectively). Results of present study showed that the GFR of remnant kidney was increased after nephrectomy, and serum Cr level was not changed, despite the mild increase at first post nephrectomy week. Also, remnant kidney size increased following nephrectomy in donors.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the intralobar renal arteries indexes using the Doppler ultrasonography indexes, which have become the established method of kidney monitoring, in living unrelated kidney donors during the postnephrectomy period.Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we evaluated and followed up 34 living unrelated kidney donors. The Doppler ultrasonography indexes, including resistive index, pulsatility index, and peak systolic velocity, along with the grey-scale ultrasonographic indexes of cortical thickness, length, and anteroposterior diameter of the kidney were determined before nephrectomy, and then, 1 week and 3 months after nephrectomy. In addition, glomerular filtration rate were assessed simultaneously.Results: The resistive index and pulsatility index did not change 1 week and 3 months after nephrectomy (P = .66 and P = .38, respectively). The peak systolic velocity at 1 week was significantly higher than its prenephrectomy value (P = .02). Also, the peak systolic velocity at 3 months was significantly higher than that prior to nephrectomy (P < .001). Indexes of the kidney size all increased during the follow-up period. The estimated glomerular filtration rate increased decreased 1 week after nephrectomy, but it reach to a level comparable with its preoperative values after 3 months.Conclusion: Results of the present study showed an increased peak systolic velocity in association with unaltered resistive index and pulsatility index in the remnant kidney of donors, during the short-term follow-up. This finding indicates the increased blood flow and kidney size in the remnant kidney of donors, following nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a glycoprotein is a member of the tumor necrotizing factor alpha receptor super-family. By considering the possible role of OPG in cardiovascular disease (CVD), higher incidence of CVD in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN), and anti-atherosclerotic effects of statins, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of lovastatin on serum levels of OPG, and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kBETA ligand (sRANKL) in people with T2DN.METHODS: During the present quasi clinical trial, 30 male adult patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy were studied. Lovastatin, 20 mg/d was administrated for 90 days. Serum levels of OPG and sRANKL were measured using commercial ELISA kits at baseline, after 90 days of intervention, and after 30 days of withdrawal of lovastatin.FINDINGS: Serum level of OPG was significantly increased (10.76±16.44) and decreased (7.38±11.98) during 90 days of intervention and 30 days of withdrawal periods, respectively (p