Facilitated ion transfer of protonated primary organic amines studied by square wave voltammetry and chronoamperometry.

The transfer of the protonated forms of heptylamine, octylamine, decylamine, procaine and procainamide facilitated by dibenzo-18-crown-6 from water to a solvent polymeric membrane has been investigated by using cyclic square wave voltammetry. The experimental voltammograms obtained are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The values of the standard ion transfer potential, complexation constant and diffusion coefficient in water have been obtained from these experiments, and have been used to draw some conclusions about the lipophilicity of these species and the relative stability of the organic ammonium complexes with dibenzo-18-crown-6. The results have been compared with those provided by linear sweep voltammetry. Calibration graphs were obtained with both techniques. An interesting chronoamperometric method for the determination of the diffusion coefficient of the target ion in the membrane has been developed and applied to all these protonated amines.

Identification of chemical constituents and larvicidal activity of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian essential oil against two mosquito vectors Anopheles stephensi and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae).

The larvicidal activity of essential oil extracted from an indigenous plant, Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian was evaluated against two mosquito species, Anopheles stephensi and Culex pipiens. The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from branch tips and leaf of this plant was determined by GC and GC/MS analysis. Forty-nine constituents were identified in the oil. The main constituents of the oil were Z-ligustilide (77.73%), 2-octen-1-ol acetate (6.27%), E-ligustilide (2.27%) and butylidene phthalide (1.97%). Five different logarithmic concentrations of essential oil were evaluated against the 4th instar larvae of An. Stephensi and Cx. pipiens. The LC(50) and LC(90) values against An. stephensi larvae were 4.88 and 9.60 ppm and for Cx. pipiens were 2.69 and 7.90 ppm, respectively. These properties suggest that K. odoratissima oil has potential source of valuable larvicidal compounds for mosquito larval control. This plant which causes high mortality at lower dose could be considered as a highly active plant. In this paper a guideline suggested for larvicidal activity of plant essential oils.

Utility of filter paper for preserving insects, bacteria, and host reservoir DNA for molecular testing.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate methodology for storage biological materials, extraction of DNA, and proper DNA preservation is vital for studies involving genetic analysis of insects, bacteria, and reservoir hosts as well as for molecular diagnostics of pathogens carried by vectors and reservoirs. Here we tried to evaluate the utility of a simple filter paper-based for storage of insects, bacteria, rodent, and human DNAs using PCR assays. METHODS: Total body or haemolymph of individual mosquitoes, sand flies or cockroaches squashed or placed on the paper respectively. Extracted DNA of five different bacteria species as well as blood specimens of human and great gerbil Rhombomys opimus was pipetted directly onto filter paper. The papers were stored in room temperature up to 12 months during 2009 until 2011. At monthly intervals, PCR was conducted using a 1-mm disk from the DNA impregnated filter paper as target DNA. PCR amplification was performed against different target genes of the organisms including the ITS2-rDNA of mosquitoes, mtDNA-COI of the sand flies and cockroaches, 16SrRNA gene of the bacteria, and the mtDNA-CytB of the vertebrates. RESULTS: Successful PCR amplification was observed for all of the specimens regardless of the loci, taxon, or time of storage. The PCR amplification were ranged from 462 to 1500 bp and worked well for the specified target gene/s. Time of storage did not affect the amplification up to one year. CONCLUSION: The filter paper method is a simple and economical way to store, to preserve, and to distribute DNA samples for PCR analysis.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Sixty Four Multi-Slice CT Angiography in Assessment of Arterial Cut-Off and Run-Off in Comparison with Surgical Findings.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The accurate anatomic mapping and determination of the severity of arterial disease, an important health problem of the elderly, is of great significance. We aimed to determine the diagnostic value of 64-multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) in run-off and cut-off sites of arterial disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Throughout the study, MSCTA followed by an operative intervention was carried out on a total of 38 patients with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of arterial disease (AD) all of whom had the indication for vascular surgery. The mean age of patients was 34±15.86 (range, 23 to 93) years. MSCTA was executed using a 64-slice CT scanner, during the arterial phase of injecting the nonionic, contrast medium with a power injector at the rate of 5 ml/sec into the antecubital vein and exploration and revascularization of peripheral arterial disease was performed intraoperatively. RESULTS: Atherosclerosis and arterial disease, the most common causes of vascular occlusion, were more common in the lower extremities. According to MSCTA findings, the most frequent site of stenosis was the superficial femoral artery. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a high degree of agreement amongst the raters. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the accuracy of MSCTA compared to surgery were 83.8%, 96%, 96.8%, 81.3% and 89%, respectively. MSCTA findings were compared with surgery as a standard of reference, which showed concordance in the majority of cases (81.6%). Cut-off sites were correctly identified by MSCTA in 97.3% of the patients and the most common sites of discordance were the run-off sites (18.2%). CONCLUSION: MSCTA angiography as a novel diagnostic modality may be a suitable alternative and a viable choice for routine clinical diagnosis.

Correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with oesophageal cancer.

Oesophageal cancer is endemic in some regions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and efforts have made to find factors that play a role in its prognosis. We retrospectively examined the correlation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels with several clinicopathological characteristics of 207 cases of oesophageal carcinoma. The mean ALP level in patients with lymph node involvement was significantly higher [141 (SD 77) U/L] than with node negative cancers [116 (SD 63) U/L]. Patients with ALP levels 165 U/L were 3.29 times more likely to have lymph node involvement than patients with ALP levels < or = 165 U/L. There was no statistically significant correlation between ALP level and sex, age, tumour histological type, site and size of tumour, depth of penetration, distant metastasis, degree of differentiation, presence of lymphatic invasion and presence of simultaneous multiple cancers. Elevated ALP in patients with oesophageal cancer may predict lymph node involvement.

Culicinae mosquitoes in Sanandaj county, Kurdistan province, western Iran.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: This study aims at studying mosquito-borne diseases as the major public health threat in Iran. Sanandaj outskirts are considered suitable habitats for mosquito larvae. In view of scanty reports on mosquito-borne disease implementation in this area, a study was undertaken to determine the mosquito fauna and frequency of mosquito larvae at Sanandaj City. METHODS: In order to study the mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna, the samples were collected from May to July 2009 using dipping and night catch methods in Sanandaj district, Kurdistan province, western Iran. RESULTS: Three genera and 11 species of the Culicinae subfamily were identified--Aedes vexans Meigen, Ochlerotatus caspius s.l. Pallas (indicating new occurrence records for the province), Culex hortensis Ficalbi, Cx. pipiens Linnaeus, Cx. mimeticus Noe, Cx. theileri Theobald, Culiseta longiareolata Macquart, and Cs. subochrea Edwards. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Present study revealed that Ae. vexans and Ochlerotatus caspius s.l caught had not been previously recorded in Kurdistan province, highlighting the deficient knowledge of the fauna and distribution of Culicinae mosquitoes of this part of Iran.

Influence of splenectomy on morbidity of esophageal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: During esophagectomy, splenic injury may occur due to unintentional operative trauma, caused by excessive traction on the splenic ligaments or misplacement of re-tractors. The role of spleen in immune system is well recognized and the addition of splenectomy to esophagectomy may increase the rate of complications. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of splenectomy on postoperative morbidity and mortality after esophageal resection for esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and April 2006, 420 cases with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy in a referral cancer institute. In 14 patients (3.3%) splenectomy was added because of unwanted splenic injury during operation. In-hospital morbidities and mortality and hospital stay were compared between patients with and without concomitant splenectomy. RESULTS: Although the overall complication rate in splenectomized patients was higher than other patients (43% vs. 30%), this figure was not statistically significant (P value: 0.3). Cervical anastomotic leakage occurred in 35.7% of splenectomized patients in comparison to 12.2% of control group (P value: 0.01, Odds Ratio: 3.93, CI95%: 1.27-12.2). There were no significant differences in cardiac and pulmonary complications, and in-hospital mortality rate between patients with and without splenectomy (P value > 0.05). Splenectomy did significantly affect post operative hospital stay (19 +/- 13 vs. 13 +/- 7 days, P value: 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: During esophagectomy, unplanned splenectomy may increase the incidence of anastomotic leakage and hospital stay. Therefore, whenever possible preservation of the spleen should be considered. An unexpected relationship between splenectomy and anastomotic leaks needs further investigation.Key words: Esophageal cancer; esophagectomy; splenectomy; esophagus; leakage; morbidity; mortality; complication.

Prediction of micelle-water partition coefficient from the theoretical derived molecular descriptors.

The micelle-water partition coefficients of 81 organic compounds in SDS solution were predicted by quantitative structure-property relationship method. The multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques were used to build linear and nonlinear model, respectively. In this work the proposed QSPR models, both by MLR and ANN, contain identical descriptors which are zero order of Kier-Hall index, count of Hydrogen donors site [Zefirovs PC], average valency of a C atom, atomic charge weighted by partial positively charged surface area and minimum one electron reaction index for a C atom. The MLR model gave a root mean square (RMS) of 0.166, 0.25, and 0.289 for training, prediction and test sets, respectively, whereas ANN gave an RMS error of 0.06, 0.21, and 0.20 for training, prediction, and test sets, respectively. Comparison the results of these two methods reveals that those obtained by the ANN model are much better.

Limbal stem cell deficiency in the context of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy.

PURPOSE: To report two sisters with bilateral progressive visual loss and photophobia secondary to stem cell deficiency due to multiple endocrine deficiency. METHODS: Case reports and review of medical literature. RESULTS: The younger sister had severe photophobia and decreased visual acuity since May 2000. Despite multiple outpatient visits no definite cause was found and conservative treatments failed. On slit lamp examination severe meibomian gland dysfunction, loss of eyelashes, decreased tear meniscus, diffuse corneal vascularization, and delayed punctate fluorescein staining of corneal epithelium were detected. She also had episodes of hypotension, oral candidiasis, and seizures. Her systemic workup revealed multiple endocrine deficiency (Addison's disease and hypoparathyroidism). Hormone replacement therapy with fludrocortisone and oral calcium accompanied by punctual occlusion led to significant clinical recovery . The older sister showed a similar pattern but interestingly the onset was later and the signs and symptoms were milder. CONCLUSIONS: In the pediatric age group with diffuse corneal vascularization and no definite cause, systemic workup should be done to rule out multiple endocrine deficiencies. The therapy consists of hormone replacement therapy and management of dry eye.

Corneal topographic changes after scleral buckling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal topographic changes and induced corneal astigmatism after scleral buckling (SB). METHODS: This interventional case series includes all patients who had undergone scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) during a 1-year period. Patients were divided into four groups according to type and extent of scleral buckling which depended on the discretion of a retina specialist. Videokeratography was performed for all patients preoperatively and repeated 1 and 3 months after SB. RESULTS: Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients (29 male, 74.7%) with mean age of 50.35+/-20 years (range 13-80) were finally analyzed. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of preoperative corneal astigmatism, surface regularity index (SRI), surface asymmetry index (SAI), mean keratometry (mean K), and potential visual acuity (PVA ). Overall, preoperative mean K was 43.97+/-1.78 D, which reached 44.2+/-2.02 D and 43.92+/-2.16 D 1 and 3 months after the operation. Mean preoperative SRI was 0.58+/-0.4, which increased to 1.24+/-1.18 and 1.29+/-1.13 1 and 3 months after the operation respectively. Mean preoperative SAI was 0.39+/-0.21, which increased to 0.73+/-0.37 and 0.75+/-0.66 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Changes in SAI at 1 and 3 months following SB were significant (p values <0.001); however, these postoperative values were not significantly different. Mean preoperative PVA was 0.07+/-0.75 logMAR (equivalent to 20/20) but decreased to 0.24+/-0.25 (equivalent to 20/30) and 0.27+/-0.29 (equivalent to 20/40) 1 and 3 months after SB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes in corneal topographic indices including increases in SRI and SAI and a concomitant decrease in PVA may occur after SB procedures. These induced changes must be considered and appropriately addressed postoperatively to provide the best possible corrected vision.

Pseudoaneurysm of inferior epigastric artery complicating ileostomy construction.

Pseudoaneurysm of the inferior epigastric artery complicating ileostomy construction is described in a 25-year-old woman. She underwent total abdominal perineal proctocolectomy with a permanent ileostomy constructed through the right rectus muscle. 15 days later, she abruptly developed significant bleeding through the ileostomy that recurred two more times. Endoscopy performed through the ileostomy stoma revealed a small ulcer 8 cm from the stomal opening. The distal segment of ileum containing the bleeding site was resected, and on-table examination of the lesion revealed an underlying tear in the inferior epigastric artery wall. The patient recovered after the operation.

Primary capsulectomy, anterior vitrectomy, lensectomy, and posterior chamber lens implantation in children: limbal versus pars plana.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of a limbal versus a pars plana approach for primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy in the management of childhood cataract. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, double-masked clinical trial of 45 eyes was conducted. After being matched, 38 eyes were included in the study and were divided into 2 equal groups for data analysis. All eyes had lensectomy and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. Primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy were performed through the limbus in half of the eyes and the pars plana in the other half. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, estimated red reflex, postsurgical inflammatory reaction, corneal clarity, posterior synechias, iris capture, IOL position, capsulectomy size, glaucoma, cystoid macular edema, retinal tear, and postoperative refraction. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 approaches in the outcome measures. CONCLUSION: The anatomic and visual results were encouraging when posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy, using a limbal or pars plana approach, were combined with lensectomy and PC IOL implantation in children. The application of these techniques depends on surgeon experience and skill.

Surgical management of cataract and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis.

BACKGROUND: To determine the inflammatory course and level of visual rehabilitation after cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis complicated by cataract. METHODS: In a clinical trial, 32 eyes (visual acuity of 20/160 or worse) of 30 patients underwent extracapsular cataract extraction (19 eyes) or lensectomy (13 eyes) accompanied by posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed intraoperatively prior to intraocular lens implantation and the extent of vitreous haze was assessed. If vitreous haziness was 3+ or more, core vitrectomy (two eyes) or three-port pars plana deep vitrectomy (four eyes) was performed. RESULTS: After an average follow up of 14.4 months (6 to 24 months), there was no statistically significant increase in cell and flare in the anterior chamber and vitreous or in keratic precipitates compared with the preoperative status of the eyes. However, 12% of the eyes developed synechiae (anterior and/or posterior) in comparison to preoperative condition (p < 0.05). Eight-seven percent of the eyes gained visual acuity of 20/40 or better (P < 0.005). Using the logistic regression model, a higher level of preoperative inflammation was associated with reduced likelihood of gaining visual acuity of 20/25 or more (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.049, 1.255). The complications of surgery were synechiae, 12%; opaque posterior capsule, 12%; vitreous loss, 3%; chronic glaucoma, 3%; and retinal detachment, 3%. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens can be well tolerated in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis. Vitrectomy, whenever indicated in addition to cataract extraction, improves visual rehabilitation.