The effect of Cassia fistula L. syrup in geriatrics constipation in comparison with the lactulose: A randomized clinical trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cassia fistula is widely used in traditional Persian Medicine as a mild laxative. The rate of chronic constipation increases above the age of 60. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Cassia fistula syrup (CFS) on geriatric constipation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial study was performed on 70 aged patients who were referred to the clinic of gastroenterology of Rouhani Hospital, Babol, North of Iran. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of CFS or Lactulose with a dose of 30 ccs/day. Patients were visited two weeks after entering the study to evaluate the frequency of defecation, feeling of incomplete emptying after defecation, manual maneuver, consistency of stool, and also the quality of life. RESULTS: The frequency of defecation per week varied from 1.82 ± 1.16 to 8.36 ± 3.44 in the CFS group after 2 weeks of intervention that was significantly more than the Lactulose that changed from 2.16 ± 1.46 to 5.66 ± 2.96 (P-value = 0.023, partial eta square = 0.079, NNT = 4). The quality of life, the percent of straining, lumpy or hard stool, pain during defecation, and the consistency of stool based on VAS were significantly better in the CFS group. The sensation of incomplete defecation, anorectal obstruction, and manual maneuvering were not different significantly between groups. CONCLUSION: CFS can be more effective than Lactulose on geriatric constipation.

Evaluation of liver function tests after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) may have systemic effects on the body organs as liver. The purpose of present study was to evaluate changes in liver function tests(LFT) after on-pump CABG surgery and risk factors associated with LFT changes.Also, the incidence of acute liver injury after on-pump CABG is determined. METHODS: 385 patients who underwent on-pump CABG surgery were randomly selected.Preoperative and intraoperative risk factors were obtained from their medical records .Postoperative liver function tests at 24, 48 and 72 hours following surgery and discharge time were compared with the preoperative ones. A univariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the possible relationships between these changes and the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. RESULTS: Statisitcal analysis revealed direct and significant relationship between LFT changes and pump time, aortic cross-clamp clamp time and use of intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP). Also a medical history of previous myocardia infarction was significantly related to the changes in direct bilirubin in the first 48 hours following surgery.level of preoperative left ventricle ejection fraction,smoking and using opium had significant correlation with postoperative AST changes in different days.In 12.9% of patients, the aminotransferases levels increased to more than three folds over normal upper limit but the probability for incidence of acute ischemic liver injury (transient increase in aminotransferases to over 500IU/L) was 0.77%. CONCLUSION: Using techniques to reduce clamp and pump time when possible is important during CABG. Probable liver injuries post inserting IABP should be expected for appropriate monitoring and treatment.

Characterization of clarithromycin heteroresistance among Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from the antrum and corpus of the stomach.

Mixed infections and heteroresistance of Helicobacter pylori contribute to decreased efficacy of treatments. This study aimed to investigate frequency of clarithromycin heteroresistance and its link with mixed infections, medication history, and disease severity. A total of 40 pairs of H. pylori strains were isolated from the antrum and corpus of 97 patients. Susceptibility of the strains to clarithromycin was measured by agar dilution method. Site-specific mutations of 23S rRNA at A2143G, A2142G, and A2142C positions were analyzed by PCR and genomic relatedness of pairs of the strains was determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. The results showed a prevalence of 35% (14/40) clarithromycin resistance. Diversity of the antrum and corpus isolates in resistance to clarithromycin was detected among 17.5% (7/40) of the patients. Similarly, diversity in MIC value was also detected in two patients infected with the sensitive strains. Significant difference in frequency of resistance was detected among patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (MIC90 32 µg/mL) and severe gastritis (MIC90 16 µg/mL), compared with those who suffered from non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) (MIC90 8 µg/mL) and chronic gastritis (MIC90 0.25 µg/mL). MIC values showed 8-32 folds increased levels in the corpus. A2142G, A2143G, and A2142C mutations were detected in three, two, and two patients, respectively, but not observed in 46% of the resistant strains. RAPD-PCR fingerprints showed identical molecular patterns for the isolates of the corpus and antrum in each patient. In conclusion, microevolution of H. pylori strains during chronic infection, rather than mixed infection, and inappropriate medication appear to be main reasons of treatment failure in adults.

Is ESR Important for Predicting Post-ERCP Pancreatitis?

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis remains the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), resulting in substantial morbidity and occasional mortality. There are notable controversies and conflicting reports about risk factors of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). AIM: To evaluate the potential risk factors for PEP at a referral tertiary center, as a sample of the Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baseline characteristics and clinical as well as paraclinical information of 780 patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP at Taleghani hospital in Tehran between 2008 and 2012 were reviewed. Data were collected prior to the ERCP, at the time of the procedure, and 24-72 hours after discharge. PEP was diagnosed according to consensus criteria. RESULTS: Of the 780 patients who underwent diagnostic ERCP, pancreatitis developed in 26 patients (3.3%). In the multivariable risk model, significant risk factors with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were age <65 years (OR = 10.647, P = 0.023) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) >30 (OR = 6.414, P < 0.001). Female gender, history of recurrent pancreatitis, pre-ERCP hyperamylasemia, and difficult or failed cannulation could not predict PEP. There was no significant difference in the rate of PEP in wire-guided cannulation versus biliary cannulation using a sphincterotome and contrast injection as the conventional method. CONCLUSIONS: Performing ERCP may be safer in the elderly. Patients with high ESR may be at greater risk of PEP, which warrants close observation of these patients for signs of pancreatitis after ERCP.

Finding of biliary fascioliasis by endoscopic ultrasonography in a patient with eosinophilic liver abscess.

Fascioliasis is an endemic zoonotic disease in Iran. It occurs mainly in sheep-rearing areas of temperate climates, but sporadic cases have been reported from many other parts of the world. The usual definitive host is the sheep. Humans are accidental hosts in the life cycle of Fasciola. Typical symptoms may be associated with fascioliasis, but in some cases diagnosis and treatment may be preceded by a long period of abdominal pain and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. We report a case with epigastric and upper quadrant abdominal pain for the last 6 months, with imaging suggesting liver abscess and normal biliary ducts. The patient had no eosinophilia with negative stool examinations, so she was initially treated with antibiotics for liver abscess. Her clinical condition as well as follow-up imagings showed appropriate response after antibiotic therapy. Finally, endoscopic ultrasonography revealed Fasciola hepatica, which was then extracted with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.