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Chrysin is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found in honey and propolis, with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of chrysin combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of mice with colorectal cancer (CRC). Moreover, the effects of these two compounds on the expression of β-catenin and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were investigated. The CRC was induced in the mice by azoxymethane (AOM). The co-administration of 5-FU and chrysin in the treatment of mice reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and the pathologic lesion percentage compared to other treatment groups (P <0.05). The co-administration of 5-FU and chrysin resulted in a reduction in β-catenin and iNOS (P <0.05). We showed that a combination of 5-FU and chrysin is superior to 5-FU or chrysin alone in the treatment of mice with CRC. Our approach opens an avenue to introduce a useful therapeutic option for colorectal cancer in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Parkinson disease (PD) results from the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of natural antioxidants such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) to maintain these neurons. Methods: CAPE is one of the main ingredients of propolis. Intranasal administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2;3;4;6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was used to generate a PD model in rats. A total of 2xbone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were injected from the tail vein. Behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, DiI, cresyl fast violet, and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the rats 2 weeks after treatment. Results: In all treatment groups with stem cells, the DiI staining method revealed that the cells migrated to the substantia nigra pars compacta after injection. Treatment with CAPE significantly protects dopaminergic neurons from MPTP. The highest number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons was seen in the pre-CAPE+PD+stem cell (administration of CAPE, then the creation of PD, finally injection of stem cells) group. The number of TH+cells in all groups that received CAPE was significant compared to groups that received the stem cells only (P<0.001). Intranasal administration of MPTP significantly increases the number of apoptotic cells. The lowest number of apoptotic cells was in the CAPE+PD+stem cell group. Conclusion: The results showed that the use of CAPE and stem cells in Parkinson rats caused a significant reduction in the apoptotic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To evaluate renal side-effects of anti-epileptic medication by valproate (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ), we performed a prospective study to assess renal tubular function by measuring N-acetyl-β glucosaminidase (NAG)/Cr activity index in epileptic children. The study was conducted on 112 children who were diagnosed with epilepsy (28 patients were observed before treatment with anti-epileptics, 28 children were administered VPA, 28 children were treated with CBZ, and 28 healthy children were selected age &sex matched for). An especial NAG assay kit was used for quantitative measuring of NAG in patient urine samples. The patients receiving VPA exhibited higher rate of NAG activity compared with the two groups which not receiving anti-epileptic drugs. Measurement of urinary NAG/Cr index in the children who received CBZ also, was significantly higher than those who were not administered anti-epileptic drugs. The measurement of NAG/Cr index in the VPA group was significantly higher than that in the CBZ group (NAG index: 2.75 versus 1.71). Children on anti-epileptic treatment with VPA or CBZ might demonstrate signs of renal tubular dysfunction, reflected by NAG/Cr activity index. This side effect can be potentially more occurred following VPA administration.

Introduction: Post-Operative Cognitive Disorder (POCD) in surgeries under general anesthesia is a relatively common event and its diagnosis after surgery is particularly important in the elderly. In this study, the frequency of cognitive disorders after cataract surgery with different anesthetic methods in the elderly was evaluated to identify the effective factors and identifying the appropriate method with the lowest incidence of cognitive impairment. Materials & Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 108 patients over 60 years of age who were referred to Semnan hospitals for elective cataract surgery were randomly assigned into three groups of anesthetics (local, inhalation, and intravenous) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was done for cognitive assessment in three steps: before surgery, three and seven days after the operation. Results: The groups were matched based on age and gender. Patients had no difference in preoperative cognitive test. In cognitive test on the third and seventh day after surgery, in order to assess the cognitive effects of anesthetic drugs, there was a significant difference between different anesthetic methods, which was higher on the seventh day. Among the three different methods of anesthesia (inhalation, intravenous, local) that were used in cataract operation, the least cognitive impairment was observed in patients with local and the most cognitive impairment was in patients with inhalation anesthetics. Conclusion: The use of local anesthesia for cataract surgery has the lowest postoperative complications compared to other general anesthetic procedures, and it is recommended to use this method if not contraindicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with bone and mineral metabolism disorders. Objectives: This study investigated the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism biochemical markers in patients with CKD at the hemodialysis treatment among Iranian adults as well as the relationship between possible risk factors or biochemical markers with BMD. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 77 patients with CKD stage 5D at the hemodialysis treatment were selected from September 2016 to February 2016. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the anteroposterior lumbar spine (LS) (L1-L4) and left proximal femur. Biochemical markers including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum specific alkaline phosphatase (serum AP) and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25hD) were used for the prediction of BMD loss. Results: Two (2.6%) patients had normal levels of 25hD (mean levels 17.67 ± 11.66 µg/L). We found a reduction of BMD in comparison with age- and gender-matched normal population values at the femoral neck (FN) (T-score = -1.92 ± 1.29), at the total hip (TH) (T-score = -1.79 ± 1.25) and at the LS (T-score = -1.55 ± 1.84). The prevalence of T-scores =-2.5 SD was 28.6%, 35.1% and 13.0% according to the LS, FN and three bone sites T scores respectively. BMD negatively correlated with age at the proximal femur, with serum AP at the LS and with age of menopause at the FN. Conclusions: Patients with CKD at the hemodialysis treatment had a high prevalence of osteoporosis in the general population. BMD at the all bone sites was below the expected average for gender and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemodialysis is the most common method of renal replacement therapy for treatment of acute and chronic kidney failure. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays a major role in development of peptic ulcer, gastric neoplasms, and lymphoma as well as increased risk of cardiovascular disorders in hemodialysis patients. Objectives: In this study the diagnostic values of noninvasive tests [i.e. urea breath test (UBT), helicobacter pylori stool antigen test (HPSA) and serology] in diagnosis of H. pylori infection in hemodialysis patients have been studied. Patients and Methods: All patients undergoing hemodialysis in Fatemieh Hospital, Semnan, Iran, were enrolled in the study, and their H. pylori status were assessed by using non-invasive tests including UBT, HPSA and serology. Patients with at least two out of 3 positive tests were considered infected with H. pylori. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the tests used in diagnosing H. pylori infection were 62.5%, 65.4%, 62.5% and 65.4% for UBT, 100%, 72.2%, 58.3% and 100% for serology, and 100%, 75%, 60.9% and 100% for fecal antigen test, respectively. Conclusions: This study showed that H. pylori serology and stool antigen tests have higher diagnostic values than UBT, and they are more reliable than UBT in diagnosis of H. pylori infection in hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on the prognosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) versus non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) have shown different results. The present study was designed to compare the early outcome and left ventricular systolic function of patients with ST and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: The patients' information was derived from 10,065 consecutive patients hospitalized in Tehran Heart Center with acute MI (2007 patients with STEMI and 8058 with non-STEMI). The baseline clinical characteristics, post-MI complications, left ventricular systolic functions, and 30-day mortality rates were compared. Results: A history of current cigarette smoking, opium addiction, and brain stroke was more frequent in the STEMI patients, whereas hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity were found more in the non-STEMI group. Ejection fraction was higher in the non-STEMI patients than that in the STEMI group, and anterior wall infarction was detected more frequently in the STEMI cases. A history of coronary artery bypass grafting and also percutaneous coronary intervention was observed more in the non-STEMI group. Amongst the in-hospital complications, ventricular arrhythmias (1.4 vs. 0.5, P<0.001) and pulmonary edema (0.4 vs. 0.1, P=0.002) were more prevalent in the STEMI cases. The 30-day mortality rate in the STEMI group was higher than that in the non-STEMI group (5.5 vs. 2.4, P<0.001). Early mortality in both groups was dependant on advanced age, diabetes mellitus, post-MI bradycardia, and atrioventricular block. Also, female gender and pulmonary edema in the STEMI group and family history of MI in the non-STEMI patients could predict 30-day mortality. Conclusion: There were several differences in the baseline characteristics and early outcome between the two types of STEMI and non-STEMI. The 30-day mortality rate was higher in the STEMI group than that in the non-STEMI group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The current study aims to identify demographic, clinical characteristics, echocardiographic and/or mitral valve morphological parameters that may predict the successful result of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). METHODS: The medical records of 196 patients (48 males, mean age: 42.7 ± 11.5 years) who underwent PTMC were reviewed. Prior to PTMC, a combination of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were used to investigate substantial mitral valve morphological subcomponents (thickening, mobility, calcification, and subvalvular thickness) and suitability for PTMC. The second transthoracic echocardiographic assessment was performed within six weeks after PTMC. Patients were divided into two categories of successful or unsuccessful according to PTMC results. Successful PTMC was defined as: final mitral valve area (MVA) ≥1.5 cm² without a post-procedure mitral regurgitation (MR) grade >2. The significant predictor of the result was identified by comparing demographic data, initial echocardiographic assessments and mitral valve morphological scores within both groups. RESULTS: The mean MVA increased from 1.0 ± 0.2 cm² to 1.7 ± 0.4 cm², and mitral valve mean gradient (MVMG) decreased from 11.5 ± 5.2 to 5.2 ± 3.3 mmHg (P < 0.001 for both). Successful results were obtained in 139 (70.9%) patients compared to unsuccessful results in 57 (29.1%). Unsuccessful results were due to suboptimal secondary MVA < 1.5 cm² in 50 (25.5%) patients and post-procedure MR grade >2 in 7 (3.6%). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that young age, lower size of the left atrium (LA), and smaller degree of mitral valve thickness were the predictors of successful result. CONCLUSION: Pre-procedure echocardiographic assessment appears to be helpful in predicting PTMC results. Successful PTMC is influenced by the patients' age, LA size, and mitral valve thickness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study aims to identify demographic, clinical characteristics, echocardiographic and/or mitral valve morphological parameters that may predict the successful result of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). , Methods: The medical records of 196 patients (48 males, mean age: 42.7 ± 11.5 years) who underwent PTMC were reviewed. Prior to PTMC, a combination of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were used to investigate substantial mitral valve morphological subcomponents (thickening, mobility, calcification, and subvalvular thickness) and suitability for PTMC. The second transthoracic echocardiographic assessment was performed within six weeks after PTMC. Patients were divided into two categories of successful or unsuccessful according to PTMC results. Successful PTMC was defined as: final mitral valve area (MVA) ≥1.5 cm2 without a post-procedure mitral regurgitation (MR) grade >2. The significant predictor of the result was identified by comparing demographic data, initial echocardiographic assessments and mitral valve morphological scores within both groups. , Results: The mean MVA increased from 1.0 ± 0.2 cm2 to 1.7 ± 0.4 cm2, and mitral valve mean gradient (MVMG) decreased from 11.5 ± 5.2 to 5.2 ± 3.3 mmHg (P < 0.001 for both). Successful results were obtained in 139 (70.9%) patients compared to unsuccessful results in 57 (29.1%). Unsuccessful results were due to suboptimal secondary MVA < 1.5 cm2 in 50 (25.5%) patients and post-procedure MR grade >2 in 7 (3.6%). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that young age, lower size of the left atrium (LA), and smaller degree of mitral valve thickness were the predictors of successful result. , Conclusion: Pre-procedure echocardiographic assessment appears to be helpful in predicting PTMC results. Successful PTMC is influenced by the patients' age, LA size, and mitral valve thickness.

Gabapentin seems to be a safe and well tolerated medication for treating heroine dependence. This study examined the efficacy of gabapentin for relieving withdrawal-related pain due to heroin use. Sixty men were recruited from an inpatient psychiatric ward of Fatemieh hospital in Semnan and randomized to receive either placebo (n = 30) or gabapentin (1800 mg/day) (n = 30) for 7 days. Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) was measured as a self-administered scale for grading body pain at baseline, and on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7. Mean of pain score had a significant decrease trend in both gabapentin and placebo groups. Pain severity during the most of detoxification duration was significantly lower in gabapentin group compared with the placebo group. It is suggested that gabapentin may have an effective role in removing heroin withdrawal-related pain.

Objective: To investigate the anatomic location, immunologic, and clinicopathological features of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL)., Methods: From May 1993 to December 2004, at Shohada Hospital, Tehran, Iran, the clinical data of 110 PCNSL patients, including the age, sex, duration of symptoms, radiological findings, site of tumors, immune status, and history of immunocompromised state (such as organ transplantation, radiotherapy, steroid therapy or AIDS) were assessed., Results: The mean age of the patients with PCNSL was 47.02 +/- 15.8 years. There were 42 female and 68 male patients. One hundred and six cases (96.3%) were diagnosed as B-cell lymphoma. Most of the PCNSL in our study are unifocal. More than 70% of tumors were in a cerebral hemisphere and periventricular location, usually involving the corpus callosum or basal ganglia. No patients had been in immunocompromised states. Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure or changes in personality, vision, or motor function are most common. Seizures are seen in approximately 10% of patients. The number of PCNSL cases showed a gradual rise in incidence., Conclusion: The results of this single hospital 12-year survey of PCNSL are in agreement with data from other single institutions and regional surveys concerning clinical features. However, in contrast with the literature, most of our patients were immunocompetent. The age at diagnosis is also lower than in most reports.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of a newly developed paper urease test (PUT) for ultra-rapid detection of helicobacter pylori (HP) in gastric mucosa., Material/methods: 100 patients (43 men) with a mean age of 57+/-6.8 years participated. Patients presenting for upper endoscopy with no recent exposure to HP-altering drugs were enrolled. Gastric biopsy specimens were tested by the PUT and histology methods, and then the patients underwent [13C] urea breath tests (UBT). HP was considered positive when either UBT or histology demonstrated it, and negative if HP was not detected in either UBT or histology. The PUT was reported at 15 minutes., Results: 87 of 100 patients tested positive for HP. The PUT correctly identified 74 of 87 HP-positive and 13 of 13 HP-negative patients, yielding sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 87%, 100%, 100% and 53.5%, respectively, in this population., Conclusions: Rapidly available and reliable results from the PUT can facilitate clinical decision prior to patient discharge from the endoscopy suite. We recommend PUT for screening of HP in endoscopy candidates, due to high specificity, rapid reaction, simplicity and low cost. A positive result shows a definite diagnosis, although a negative result needs further diagnostic methods.