scholarly journals The effect of gamma radiation on plasma levels of zinc and selenium in nuclear medicine staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56
Author(s):  
Mahdiyeh Mirnam Niha ◽  
Mehdi Salehi Barough
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Graphite Furnace ◽  
Serum Zinc ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background and aims: Gamma radiation is widely being used in medical-imaging centers. The aim of this study was to measure possible alterations in serum zinc and selenium levels among nuclear medicine staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 nuclear medicine staff as well as on 10 individuals as the control group. Blood samples (20 mL) were obtained from the participants and the serum specimens were isolated by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 7 minutes. The samples were then used for measurement of zinc and selenium levels. Zinc and selenium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) with a graphite furnace. The mean serum levels of zinc and selenium were compared using SPSS. Results: The mean level of zinc in the radiated group (70.91±14.46 μmol/L) was significantly lower than that in the control group (89.75±17.35 μmol/L) (P=0.002). A negative significant correlation was found between the duration of exposure to radiation and zinc levels (P=0.005). Furthermore, a negative significant relationship was observed between the mean radiation dose after 5 years and zinc concentration (P=0.019). Non-significant difference was found in the mean level of selenium between control (1.71±0.35 μmol/L) and radiation (2.13±1.12 μmol/L) groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between selenium level and exposure time. Conclusion: Based on the results, declined level of zinc can be considered as one of the possible mechanisms caused by gamma radiation on cells which may be associated with oxidative damage. Therefore, zinc therapy can be helpful for those who work at medical radiation centers; however, it merits further studies.

scholarly journals Does copper deficiency predispose children to otitis media with effusion?

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1147
Author(s):  
Maryam Amizadeh ◽  
Sareh Molaei Moghbeli ◽  
Hamed Reihani-Kermani ◽  
Amir Reihani
Keyword(s):  
Otitis Media ◽  
Otitis Media With Effusion ◽  
Graphite Furnace ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Copper ◽  
Copper Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Selenium ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Both otitis media with effusion (OME) and copper or selenium have been associated to the immune system, hence it could be proposed that cooper and/or selenium deficiency predisposes children to OME through immune cells dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of Copper and Selenium in an immundeficient-linked disease - OME – in childhood.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2015 and December 2016 including 80 patients age 1 to 8 years old who were divided into two groups: otitis media with effusion (OME) consisted of 40 patients and the control (n=40). Patients who did not recover after three months conservative treatments were included. Serum levels of Copper and Selenium were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Statistical analysis showed no significant differences regarding age and sex were noted between groups. Patients with OME had significantly lower serum copper levels than the control group (p=0.007). However, there was no statistically significant difference in serum selenium levels between groups. The analysis also showed a significant positive correlation between serum copper level and age (correlation coefficient=0.348, p=0.028), whereas, there was no correlation between the measured selenium level and age.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The results of the present study showed that serum level of copper might play a role on development of otitis media with effusion in childhood.</p>

scholarly journals Can the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cause choroiditis and optic neuropathy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 205873922110590
Author(s):  
Kürşad Ramazan Zor ◽  
Gamze Yıldırım Biçer ◽  
Nesrin Tutaş Günaydın ◽  
Erkut Küçük ◽  
Uğur Yılmaz
Keyword(s):  
Choroidal Thickness ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness ◽  
Rnfl Thickness ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right

Objectives: We aim to investigate the involvement of the choroid and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in COVID-19 patients using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2020. 40 patients (23 female and 17 male) with COVID-19 and 42 healthy individuals (26 female and 16 male) were included in the study. The OCT scans were performed 4 weeks after the COVID-19 diagnosis. Results: In the COVID-19 group, in the right eyes, the mean nasal choroidal thickness was 295.70 ± 7,046 μm ( p = 0.017), mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 333.25 ± 6,353 μm ( p = 0.003), mean temporal choroidal thickness was 296.63 ± 6,324 μm ( p = 0.039), and mean RNFL was 89.23 ± 1.30 μm ( p = 0.227). In the left eyes, mean nasal choroidal thickness was 287.88 ± 9,033 μm ( p = 0.267), mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 333.80 ± 9,457 μm ( p = 0.013), mean temporal choroidal thickness was 298.50 ± 9,158 μm ( p = 0.079), and mean RNFL was 89.48 ± 1,289 μm ( p = 0.092). Compared with the control group, the patient group had significant thickening of the choroidal thickness in all quadrants of the right eyes, and significant thickening of the subfoveal choroidal thickness in the left eyes. There was no significant difference in the RNFL thickness between groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: COVID-19 may cause a subclinical involvement in the choroidal layer.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Sex Hormone Levels in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris in Comparison to the Healthy Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Lavaee ◽  
Fahimeh Rezazadeh ◽  
Nasrin Saki ◽  
Zahra Tavazo ◽  
Saman Baghaei
Keyword(s):  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Pemphigus Vulgaris ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean

Background and Aim. The onset of autoimmune diseases is associated with the levels of sex hormones. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease with a higher prevalence in postmenopausal women. The present study is aimed at evaluating the sex hormones’ levels in patients with pemphigus vulgaris in comparison to healthy controls. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on patients with pemphigus vulgaris referred to Faghihi Hospital and Shiraz Dental Faculty in 2017-2018. The participants included 26 women with histopathologically confirmed pemphigus vulgaris and 26 healthy age-matched controls. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were evaluated in both groups. Independent t -test and two-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results. The mean age of the patients was 49.88 ± 10.46 years and that of the control group was 49.92 ± 11.30 years. Unlike the case group, the DHEA serum level was significantly higher among nonmenopausal participants in the control group. Moreover, the levels of testosterone and DHEA were significantly lower in the case group in comparison to the control group ( p = 0.015 and p = 0.026 , respectively). Conclusion. Considering the effects of age and menopause, the serum levels of testosterone and DHEA were significantly lower in the patients with pemphigus vulgaris than in the healthy controls. Hence, these hormones might have a role in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Relationship Between Celiac Disease and Refractory Epilepsy in Patients Referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hanieh Mollazadeh ◽  
◽  
Surena Nazarbaghi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Pashaei ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: Celiac disease can be associated with other diseases, including neurological disorders. In this study, the relationship between celiac disease and refractory epilepsy was evaluated in patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with refractory epilepsy referred to the neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia, during the second half of 2019 and controlled epilepsy were studied as a control group. The statistical population of the present study included 50 patients with refractory seizures and 50 patients with controlled seizures. The mean age of patients was 32.96 ± 11.35 years. Five ml blood samples were taken from the patients, and a serum anti-tTG test was performed using the ELISA kit. Then, in patients with positive anti-tTG, a duodenal biopsy sample was prepared using an endoscopy. Results: This study showed that the mean serum level of anti-tTG in patients with refractory epilepsy was higher than in patients with controlled epilepsy. Anti-tTG test results were positive in five of fifty patients with refractory epilepsy, and it was positive in two of fifty patients with controlled epilepsy. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of serum levels anti-tTG (p=0.14). Also, there was no significant relationship between serum level anti-tTG, age and genus (p>0.05). Biopsy results in three patients in the refractory epilepsy group and one patient in the controlled epilepsy group was in favor of a definitive diagnosis of the celiac disease. Patients in whom the celiac disease was confirmed by endoscopy had higher anti-tTG levels (p=0.006). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the celiac disease in the group with refractory epilepsy and controlled epilepsy.

scholarly journals Investigation of IL-17A Serum Levels in Patients with Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mehdi Ghahartars ◽  
Fatemeh Sedaghat ◽  
Elham Khajavi ◽  
Amir Ali Nejat ◽  
Mahyar Malekzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Interleukin 17A ◽  
Significant Difference

Background. Role of interleukin 17A (IL-17A) in carcinogenesis and cancer growth is controversial. Although some researches support its antitumor activity, some others suggest that it promotes the growth and development of different types of cancer including skin cancer by activation of STAT3. Although the function of the cytokines such as IL-17A has been extensively studied in various types of cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has not received much attention. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the serum levels of IL-17A in NMSC patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on 60 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as well as 57 age-sex matched healthy individuals as control group. Measurement of IL-17A serum levels in both case and control groups was performed by a commercially reliable sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results. In this study, we observed that IL-17A serum levels in NMSC patients were significantly higher than the control group P < 0.001 . Also, both BCC and SCC patients had higher levels of IL-17A in their sera in comparison to the controls ( P = 0.001 and P < 0.001 , respectively). However, there was no significant difference between SCC and BCC patients regarding serum levels of IL-17A. Conclusion. According to our results, it can be concluded that IL-17A may play a role in inducing the growth and progression of NMSC and it can be used as a therapeutic target in these patients in future.

scholarly journals Levels of Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies is Higher in Threatened Abortion

2016 ◽  
pp. 134-138
Author(s):  
I Nyoman A. Sanjaya ◽  
Syarif T Hidayat
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Normal Pregnancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Threatened Abortion ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Antibody Levels

Objective: To assess the relationship between the incidence of threatened abortion with serum levels of TPO antibodies. Methods: This was cross-sectional study involving subjects 40 cases and 40 controls. The study was conducted September 2012 to November 2012. The difference in the levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody was tested by Mann-Whitney test. Result: In this study, hypothyroidism was found only in the abortion group, as many as 6 subjects (15%) and subclinical hypothyroidism was more prevalent in threatened abortion group, found in 2 people (5%), compared to normal pregnant group, found in only 1 person (2.5%). This study revealed a significant difference in the mean levels of TPO antibodies in the threatened abortion and normal pregnancy group. The mean levels of TPO antibodies in threatened abortion group was 91.76 ± 133.18 IU/ml with the lowest level of 14.41 IU/ml and the highest levels of 534.47 IU/ml while in the normal pregnancy group found an average 12.97 ± 3.91 IU/ml with the lowest value 2.02 IU/ml and the highest value of 20.78 IU/ml. In this study, subjects with TPO antibody levels ≥ 125 IU/ml, all of them experienced threatened abortion (n = 7) and found the risk of miscarriage by 2.212-fold compared with subjects with TPO levels < 125 IU/ml. Conclusion: There are differences in the levels of TPO antibodies in patients with threatened abortion and in normal pregnancies, with average levels of TPO antibodies in imminent abortion group is higher than normal pregnancy group. There is a relationship between TPO antibody levels ≥ 125 IU/ml with the incidence of threatened abortion, with the risk of threatened abortion increasing 2.212 times. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2013; 1-3: 134-8] Keywords: threatened abortion, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO)

Estimation of Trace Elements in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum-Comparative Study in Healthy and Periodontitis

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhagavathami Meenaksh ◽  
Chitraa R. Chandran ◽  
Aravindhan Thathchari Ranganathan ◽  
Kavindapadi Venkateswaran Rama ◽  
Valarmathy Srinivasan
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Gingival Crevicular Fluid ◽  
Serum Zinc ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Serum Copper ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Copper Zinc

Background: This study aims to determine and compare the levels of trace elements copper, zinc, selenium and chromium in GCF and serum of patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals. Methods: This cross sectional study includes 24 study subjects recruited from the patients reporting to the Department of Periodontics , Tagore Dental College Chennai. All the selected patients were subjected to a clinical examination done by a single examiner. The estimation of trace elements Copper, Zinc, Selenium and Chromium in GCF and serum is performed using Perkin Elmer optima 5300 Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer (ICPOES). Results: GCF and serum copper levels showed no significant difference in both periodontitis and healthy groups . Selenium levels tend to be the same in both groups. Serum zinc levels are more in periodontitis patients than healthy subjects (p less than 0.01). GCF chromium levels are found to be more in patients with periodontitis than healthy. Conclusions : More research is therefore needed to monitor the role of these trace elements C with an increased sample size to ascertain whether they are associated with a reduced risk of periodontitis.

Effect of Medialization of the Trochlear Groove and Lateralization of the Tibial Tubercle on TT-TG Distance: A Cross-sectional Study of Dysplastic and Nondysplastic Knees

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652098781
Author(s):  
Mathias Paiva ◽  
Lars Blønd ◽  
Per Hölmich ◽  
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod
Keyword(s):  
Trochlear Dysplasia ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Tibial Tubercle ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trochlear Groove ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Mean

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.

scholarly journals Interleukin-37 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine: does its relation to disease activity suggest its potential role in rheumatoid arthritis therapy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman A. Baraka ◽  
Mona G. Balata ◽  
Shereen H. Ahmed ◽  
Afaf F. Khamis ◽  
Enas A. Elattar
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Tender Joint ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background This study aimed to measure the serum and synovial interleukin (IL)-37 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (PKOA) and healthy controls and to detect its relation to RA disease activity. Results This cross-sectional study included 50 RA patients with a mean age of 40.24 ± 8.62 years, 50 patients with PKOA with a mean age of 56.69 ± 4.21, and 40 healthy controls with a mean age of 41.75 ± 7.38 years. The mean serum IL-37 level in the RA patients (382.6 ± 73.97 pg/ml) was statistically significantly (P < 0.001) the highest among the studied groups; however, it showed a non-significant difference between the PKOA patients (70.38 ± 27.49 pg/ml) and the healthy controls (69.97 ± 25.12 pg/ml) (P > 0.94). Both serum and synovial IL-37 levels were significantly positively correlated with disease activity scores (r = 0.92, P< 0.001 and r = 0.85, P < 0.001), tender joint counts (r = 0.83, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001 ), swollen joint counts (r = 0.72, P < 0.001 and r = 0.60, P < 0.001), visual analog scale (r = 0.82, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.75, P < 0.001 and r = 0.65, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (r = 0.93, P < 0.001 and r = 0.79, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Serum and synovial IL-37 were significantly elevated in the RA patients, and they were closely correlated. Being less invasive, the serum IL-37 could be a marker of disease activity and could reflect the effective disease control by drugs. Having an anti-inflammatory effect could not suggest IL-37 as the key player to control inflammation alone, but its combination with other anti-proinflammatory cytokines could be investigated.

scholarly journals Trace elements in patients with aortic valve sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 175394472098598
Author(s):  
Hataw Al-Taesh ◽  
Abuzer Çelekli ◽  
Murat Sucu ◽  
Seyithan Taysi
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Serum Zinc ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Aortic Valve Sclerosis ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVSc) is defined as the thickening and calcification of aortic valve cusps, in the absence of obstruction of ventricular outflow. AVSc is linked with a clear imbalance in some trace elements. Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between AVSc and serum levels of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and copper (Cu). Additionally, this research aimed to explore the clinical significance of human serum zinc, selenium, copper, and iron concentrations as a potential new biomarker for AVSc patients and to clarify the pathophysiological role in individuals at risk of developing AVSc. Patients and methods: The study included 40 subjects with AVSc (25% male and 75% female) who were compared with a healthy control group with the same gender ratio. AVSc was based on comprehensive echocardiographic assessments. Blood samples were taken and Zn and Cu concentrations were determined through the use of atomic absorption spectroscopy. Se was measured using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry device and Fe was measured using a Beckman Coulter instrument. Results: There was a significant difference in the prevalence of diabetes, blood pressure levels, and body mass index between the patients and the healthy subjects ( p < 0.05). The differences between the serum Fe, Se, and Cu levels of the AVSc patients and the healthy subjects ( p > 0.05) were recorded. The serum Zn of AVSc patients when compared was significantly lower compared with that of the control group ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: Patients with AVSc had an imbalance in some of the trace elements in their blood. The patient group’s valves had higher serum Cu levels and lower serum Se, Zn, and Fe concentrations compared with the healthy group’s valves. In the valve patients as compared, AVSc had a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

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