Comparison of platelet number and function between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and normal individuals.

BACKGROUND: There is interest about the role of platelet (PLT) number and function in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD patients have abnormalities of PLT number and function, especially mean platelet volume (MPV) which is known as a novel biomarker for atherosclerosis. We decided to compare PLT number and function between NAFLD and healthy participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, two groups of patients (65 cases with NAFLD and 65 cases without NAFLD) were included consecutively. The diagnosis of NAFLD was made using ultrasound examination of the liver. Venous blood samples were taken, and the required laboratory markers including PLT number and function (MPV, platelet distribution width [PDW]), prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), lipid profile, hepatic transaminases, ferritin, and fasting blood sugar were assayed. RESULTS: Mean (± standard deviation [SD]) MPV in NAFLD group (10.29 ± 0.95 fL) was significantly higher than in control group (9.56 ± 1.18 fL); P < 0.001. No significant difference was observed regarding mean (± SD) PLT count between NAFLD (271.20 ± 52.11 × 103/mm3) and healthy participants (262.86 ± 75.81 × 103/mm3) (P = 0.46). Mean (± SD) PDW values were not significantly different between NAFLD and control groups. Logistic regression showed that NAFLD was positively associated with higher MPV (odds ratio [OR] =1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.20-3.02) and body mass index (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.05-2.15) values. However, PT (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.02-0.82) and PTT (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.58-0.88) had negative association with NAFLD. CONCLUSION: Higher MPV was found to be significantly associated with NAFLD. However, such significant association was not detected regarding PLT count or PDW. As MPV is a reported risk factor for atherosclerosis, this marker may be useful in follow-up of patients with NAFLD. These findings provide basis for further studies to address this marker in long-term follow-up of NAFLD patients.

Upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 and matrix metalloproteinase-14 expression contribute to metastatic properties of gastric cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protein and mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP14) and CDK7 in gastric cancer (GC) tissues. Upregulation of MMP14 mRNA level was observed in GC tissues when compared with the matched normal tissues (mean ± SD: 3.92 ± 1.15 vs. 1.35 ± 0.81, P < 0.001). This study indicated that mRNA levels of CDK7 were statistically overexpressed in GC when compared with matched normal tissues (4.12 ± 0.84 vs. 1.43 ± 0.71, P < 0.001). The protein levels of MMP14 were found to be increased in GC (60.41%; P < 0.001). The expression of CDK7 was higher in GC tissues than matched normal tissues (70.83; P < 0.001). We found that high MMP14 expression was related to advanced TNM stage (P = 0.004), tumor grade (P = 0.002), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.015), but no association with other clinical variables (P > 0.05). In addition, high expression of CDK7 was significantly linked to advanced TNM stage (P = 0.001), pathological grade (P = 0.012), and presence of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.009), while no correlation between CDK7 expression and other clinical variables, such as age and gender, distance metastasis. The patients with high expression of MMP14 and CDK7 exhibited worse survival time than those with higher levels. Cox multivariate regression analysis clearly showed that high expression of MMP14 and CDK7 was independent prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with GC. Taken together, these results indicated the overexpression of above markers in the progression and the tumorigenesis of GC and overall patient survival. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(10):799-805, 2016.

Correlation of ADC values of adult brain tumors with the diagnosis and pathological grade: A cross-sectional multicenter study.

Background and Aim: Brain tumors are common, requiring physicians to have a precise understanding of them for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Considering that various histological tumor types present different cellularity, we conducted this research to examine the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the differential diagnosis and pathologic grading of brain tumor types. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we gathered pathology reports of histological samples of adult brain tumors. The tissue sample of brain tumors were examined histologically by a pathologist. The magnetic resonance imaging data of these patients were interpreted by a neuroradiologist. The measured ADC values and ADC ratios were calculated. Standard mean ADC values were expressed as 10- 6 mm2/s. The findings were compared according to the histological diagnosis of each tumor. Results: Sixty-eight patients were included in the study: 34 (50%) were male, and 34 (50%) were female. The average age of the patients was 51.69 + 16.40 years. In the examination of tumor type, 16 (23.5%) were astrocytoma, 9 (13.2%) were oligodendroglioma, 20 (29.4%) were glioblastoma, 4 (5.9%) were medulloblastoma, and 19 (27.9%) were metastatic tumors. the average value of ADC was statistically significantly different according to the pathological type of tumor (p < 0.001). The two-by-two comparison of average ADC among tumor types revealed significant differences, except for oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma (p-value = 0.87) and glioblastoma and medulloblastoma (p-value = 0.347). The average value of ADC and ADC ratio was statistically significantly different according to the pathological grade of the tumor (p < 0.001). In the two-by-two comparison of average ADC between all pathological grades of the tumor showed a significance difference except for Grade I and Grade II (p-value = 0.355). The mean value of ADC and ADC ratio for glioblastoma and metastatic tumors showed no significant difference. Conclusion: The assessment of brain tumor grade through ADC examination will help to estimate prognosis and devising suitable therapeutic strategies.

Decoding clinical biomarker space of COVID-19: Exploring matrix factorization-based feature selection methods.

One of the most critical challenges in managing complex diseases like COVID-19 is to establish an intelligent triage system that can optimize the clinical decision-making at the time of a global pandemic. The clinical presentation and patients' characteristics are usually utilized to identify those patients who need more critical care. However, the clinical evidence shows an unmet need to determine more accurate and optimal clinical biomarkers to triage patients under a condition like the COVID-19 crisis. Here we have presented a machine learning approach to find a group of clinical indicators from the blood tests of a set of COVID-19 patients that are predictive of poor prognosis and morbidity. Our approach consists of two interconnected schemes: Feature Selection and Prognosis Classification. The former is based on different Matrix Factorization (MF)-based methods, and the latter is performed using Random Forest algorithm. Our model reveals that Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) O2 Saturation and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are the most important clinical biomarkers determining the poor prognosis in these patients. Our approach paves the path of building quantitative and optimized clinical management systems for COVID-19 and similar diseases.

Breast cancer screening behavior and its associated factors in female employees in South Khorasan.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a preventable disease, using three secondary preventive methods of mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE) that can lead to early detection of breast cancer. This study was designed to assess breast cancer screening behavior and its associated factors in females employed in South Khorasan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this analytic-descriptive study, 2256 female personnel of governmental organizations were investigated in Birjand city in 2016-2017. The data collection tool was a three-part questionnaire: sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about breast cancer screening methods plus women's performance, and stage of change regarding screening behaviors of mammography, CBE, and BSE. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 and one-way analysis variance, Tukey's post hoc, and multiple logistic regression model statistical tests. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation score of knowledge of the women was 3.45 ± 1.5. There was a significant difference of the mean score of knowledge between the single and married (P = 0.03) and age group (P = 0.04). The stage action of mammography, CBE, and BSE was 6.8%, 12.3%, and 16.8%, respectively. Logistic regression model showed that variables such as age and family history of breast cancer were highly significant related to mammography and also CBE. Knowledge was also highly significant in mammography, CBE, and BSE. Education level in CBE, marital status in BSE and mammography, and job in BSE were also significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals insufficient knowledge of female workers about breast cancer and the negative influence of low knowledge on the practice of breast cancer screening behavior. Therefore, the establishment and maintenance of regular educational courses for female employees is essential.

A review of applying transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) method for management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver cancer is one of the most ordinary reasons for death among cancers. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. In spite of the fact that various remedial methods have been approved particularly the survival effects of the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) method have been accomplished widely in the HCC treatment. By applying the TACE method correctly, good survival outcomes can be achieved without harmfully affecting the hepatic functions. Transarterial chemoembolization mixes the effect of avascular necrosis (AVN) with the effect of regional chemotherapy those are under the influence of arterial embolization. By knowing the fact that the metastases of liver cancer and also perfusion indices in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are via hepatic arteries, doctors chose the TACE method for the treatment of liver cancer. On the other hand, in this method, the radiologists can easily convey antitumor remedies via the arteries. Anyway, medium-level HCC is a sensitive stage of the heterogeneous disease that many patients suffer from, so specialists must consider it as a hazardous syndrome. The TACE procedure could be applied just in cases that the liver function of patients is appropriate yet, the patient liver portal vein do not have any problems and the patients do not have ascites disorder. This review is aimed to figure out the evident advantages of TACE especially by a comprehensive view on the medium level HCC. Because of that this treatment method is suggested as a first-line remedy. At last, the future landscape of the initial factors of research in managing HCC disorders have been summarized.

Vitamin D Effect on Ultrasonography and Laboratory Indices and Biochemical Indicators in the Blood: an Interventional Study on 12 to 18-Year-Old Children with Fatty Liver.

PURPOSE: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity in the past decades has caused non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to become the most common cause of pediatric chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was aimed at determining the effect of vitamin D (Vit D) on ultrasonography and laboratory indices of NAFLD and some blood biochemical indicators in children. METHODS: In this interventional study liver ultrasonography was performed in 200 children with overweight and obesity. A 108 had fatty liver among which 101 were randomly divided into two groups of study (n=51) and control (n=50). The study group was treated with Vit D, 50000 U once a week whereas the control group received placebo with the same dose and package, both for 12 weeks. At the end of the intervention lab tests and ultrasound study was performed once again to evaluate the response to treatment. RESULTS: It was found out that Vit D supplementation improved the fatty liver grade in the study group. The mean changes in hemoglobin (Hb), uric acid, highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), insulin, albumin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly higher in the study group compared to controls (p<0.05). After the intervention and means adjustment, a significant difference was obtained in HDL-C, insulin, LDL-C and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Vit D supplementation in addition to improving the fatty liver grade in ultrasonography and increasing the blood Vit D level, increases the HDL and Hb level besides decreasing uric acid, LDL, HOMA-IR, insulin and ALT levels.

Decoding Clinical Biomarker Space of COVID-19: Exploring Matrix Factorization-based Feature Selection Methods.

One of the most critical challenges in managing complex diseases like COVID-19 is to establish an intelligent triage system that can optimize the clinical decision-making at the time of a global pandemic. The clinical presentation and patients’ characteristics are usually utilized to identify those patients who need more critical care. However, the clinical evidence shows an unmet need to determine more accurate and optimal clinical biomarkers to triage patients under a condition like the COVID-19 crisis. Here we have presented a machine learning approach to find a group of clinical indicators from the blood tests of a set of COVID-19 patients that are predictive of poor prognosis and morbidity. Our approach consists of two interconnected schemes: Feature Selection and Prognosis Classification. The former is based on different Matrix Factorization (MF)-based methods, and the latter is performed using Random Forest algorithm. Our model reveals that Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) O 2 Saturation and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are the most important clinical biomarkers determining the poor prognosis in these patients. Our approach paves the path of building quantitative and optimized clinical management systems for COVID-19 and similar diseases.

Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS): the objectives, study protocol and design (wave I: baseline data gathering).

OBJECTIVES: The pace of population aging is growing rapidly around the world. Aging is associated with the emergence of different health status including geriatric syndrome such as frailty, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. These conditions are the most prominent challenges for health care systems and also elderly people. Therefore, understanding these changes can help scientists to prevent and treat significant health issues and also improve the functional ability of older adults. METHODS: This is a protocol of the first wave of Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study that is an ongoing community-based prospective cohort study with a following up at least 10 years. This study carries out on aged population ≥ 60 years which were residents in Birjand County (urban and rural older subjects). The selection of the participants of this study in urban areas is based on an age group weighted multistage stratified random sample while in the rural region the sample was selected from all ten rural regions of Birjand County by simple random sampling. The rural region sampling was based on the list of the aged population which were under the coverage of the rural health center. Sociodemographic, past medical history, lifestyle, sleep, activities of daily living, cognitive function, quality of life, and social capital were evaluated by interviewing with the participants and one of the informants. Anthropometric measures, electrocardiography, and interpretation of ophthalmologic examination were carried out by experts. Fasting Blood samples were collected and bio-banked in - 80 °C. then finally biochemical and hematologic markers were measured. RESULTS: This is the protocol of stage one baseline of Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS). The BLAS is an enjoining study, the first phase of its baseline was carried out on a community- dwelling aged population sample ≥ 60 years who were residents in urban and rural regions of Birjand County. This is a community based prospective cohort study with at least 10 years follow up of participants. The data for 65% of older subjects (response rate = 65%) that lived in clusters were collected. CONCLUSIONS: This study can help scientists to recognize some risk factors related to the aging process and also aware policymakers about the necessity to create heath care services at regional and even national levels.

Relevance between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Birjand, Iran.

There is evidence that infection by H. pylori can have a critical proportion in the development of hepatocyte injury and both noncancerous and malignant liver conditions including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This is attributed to several mechanisms, the most important one being the toxic products of the bacterium H. pylori and oxidative injury for hepatocytes which promotes hepatic injury. The present research was aimed at determining the association between H. pylori infection and the prevalence of NAFLD in Birjand, Iran. Two groups were included in this cross-sectional study at the outpatient university clinic. One group had NAFLD (65 patients) and the other group was healthy controls without NAFLD (65 subjects). The diagnosis of NAFLD was performed using abdominal ultrasound examination and the absence of taking steatogenic medications or alcohol. Serum anti-H. pylori IgG and fecal H. pylori antigen were tested for diagnosing of H. pylori infection using ELISA method. H. pylori infection diagnosis was made if both tests were positive. None of the subjects in either group had symptoms related to the digestive system including dyspepsia, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), or epigastric pain suspicious of peptic ulcer disease. There were 37 patients (28.5%) in both NAFLD (22 cases, 33.8%) and control (15 cases, 23.1%) groups whose H. pylori tests (both IgG and fecal antigen) were positive. Statistically, no significant difference was observed between the two studied groups regarding H. pylori infection frequency (p = 0.37). Asymptomatic H. pylori infection rate was not significantly different between NAFLD patients and control subjects in Birjand, Iran.

Comparison of the sonographic findings in laparoscopic cholecystostomy with and without hemostatic agent on 45-day follow-up of patients attending hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Cholelithiasis is one of the most prevalent pathological conditions, and elective laparoscopic cholecystostomy with and without hemostatic agent (HA) is the therapeutic approach to its treatment. This research study aimed to compare the sonographic findings of patients who underwent cholecystostomy with and without HA use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analysis study was conducted by available nonprobability sampling technique, and according to Cochran Formula, 144 patients, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystostomy, were recruited and divided into two groups including a group of 85 patients with HA use and a group of 59 patients without HA use. Patients in each group had sonography on discharge date and 15, 30, and 45 days after the surgery. Data were collected and entered in SPSS-24 software; meanwhile, descriptive statistics was used to analyze Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Friedman and Wilcoxon nonparametric test. FINDINGS: The results of the study showed that the presence of echogenic mass with reverberation artifact (abscess mucosa) on 15- and 30-day follow-up sonography of patients, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystostomy, were significantly higher in patients with HA than in the group without HA (P < 0.05), and on 45-day follow-up sonography, there was no significant correlation regarding the presence of echogenic mass with reverberation artifact (abscess mucosa) and fluid in the two groups (P > 0.05). Besides, HA density significantly decreases in individuals over time (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant differences between HA reduction rate and gender (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings might be the indication of HA agents' effect on surgical operations and their resemblance to abscess. Due to the possibility of temporary immune responses to HA, as an external object, it is necessary, in vital pathologies, to pay close attention to what differentiates the normal imaging appearance in follow-up sonography.

Marshall and Rotterdam Computed Tomography scores in predicting early deaths after brain trauma.

Trauma is one of the most important issues of most healthcare systems accompanying with head trauma in the most cases. We sought to determine the scoring system and initial Computed Tomography (CT) findings predicting the death at hospital discharge (early death) in patients with traumatic brain injury based on Marshall and Rotterdam CT scores. This is a cross sectional study on traumatic neurosurgical patients with mild-to-severe traumatic brain injury admitted to the emergency department of Emam Reza Hospital, Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Patients≥18 years old with TBI during last 24 hours with GCS≤13 were included and exclusion criteria were multiple trauma, penetrating injuries, previous history of anticoagulant therapy, pregnancy, not willingness for participation. Their initial CT and status at hospital discharge, one and three months (dead or alive) were reviewed, and both CT scores were calculated. We examined whether each score is related to death using SPSS11 by The Mann-Whitney U at the level of p≤0.05. Overall, 98 patients were included. Mean age was 43.52±21.29. Most patients were male (63.3%). Mean Marshall and Rotterdam CT scores were 3.2±1.3 and 2.5±1. The mortality at two weeks, one moth and three months were 19.4%, 20.4%, and 20.4%. Rotterdam CT score was significantly different based on type of hematoma. Median GCS score in alive and dead patients on 2 weeks were 10 and 4 (p=0.0001), at one month were 10 and 4 (p=0.0001), and at three months were 10 and 4 (p=0.0001). The median Marshall CT score on 2 weeks were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001), at one month were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001), and at three months were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001). The median Rotterdam CT score on 2 weeks were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001), at one month were 2 and 3 (p=0.001), and at three months were 2 and 3 (p=0.001). The Rotterdam CT score was significantly correlated with mortality at two weeks, one month and three months (p=0.004, p=0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). The Marshall CT score was not significantly correlated with mortality at any time. The Rotterdam CT score was more accurate for prediction of mortality on 2 weeks (ROC80.9), at one month (ROC80.7), and at three months were (ROC80.7) than The Rotterdam CT score (ROC 76, 74.1, and 74.1, respectively). This study concluded that The Marshall CT score was more accurate for prediction of mortality on 2 weeks, at one month, and at three months were than The Marshall CT score with higher ROC. The correlation of the Rotterdam CT score with mortality was significant.

Comparison of mammography and ultrasonography findings with pathology results in patients with breast cancer in Birjand, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of breast cancer, the incidence of which among Iranian women is about a decade earlier than in developed countries, is important. OBJECTIVE: To compare mammography and ultrasonography findings with those of pathology in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using medical records of 79 patients with breast malignancies, who were referred to Imam Reza Hospital and private laboratories of Birjand, Iran, from December 2012 to December 2014. The patients' information was recorded using a checklist, which included name, code, age, ultrasonography, and mammography results and pathology reports. The results of ultrasonography and mammography were compared with pathology findings as the gold standard. SPSS Version 21 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 46.94 ± 11.76 years. The results showed that 74.7%, 16.5%, and 7.6% of the patients had ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma, and mixed carcinoma, respectively. About 72.5%, 24.6%, and 2.9% of the patients had stage 2, 3, and 1 breast cancer, respectively. In addition, both breasts were involved in 1.3% of the patients. The ultrasound findings were positive and false negative in 97.5% and 2.5% of the cases. Moreover, the mammography results were positive and false negative in 98.7% and 1.3% of the patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed that mammography is the preferred modality in screening breast cancer patients; the use of complementary tests such as ultrasonography is recommended, especially in high-risk women.

Evaluation of the Success Rate of Ultrasound-guided Transjugular Liver Biopsy (TJLB) and the Associated Complications.

INTRODUCTION: Transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) is a diagnostic radiological intervention, applied to patients with contraindications to percutaneous or laparoscopic liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to determine the safety, effectiveness, complications, and pathological impact of TJLB. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 24 consecutive patients, undergoing TJLB at Imam Reza Hospital, affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, from April 2010 to March 2011. The inclusion criteria were coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia, and ascites. TJLB was performed by a radiologist, and a guide wire was inserted in the right jugular vein. Right atrium and middle hepatic vein were catheterized, and then, Cook Quick-Core Biopsy Needle was used by ultrasound guidance. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 16. RESULTS: The sample size included 24 subjects (54% males and 46% females). Success rate of TJLB was reported as 87.5% and the intervention duration was 23.89±9.34 min. No complications were reported in 37.5% of the patients; however, pain in the right upper quadrant (33.3%), leakage of contrast substance into the liver capsule (4.2%), and diffuse abdominal pain (4.2%). In 83% of biopsies, suitable samples were obtained for histopathological diagnosis, and 13% of patients were excluded from the study. According to the results, the mean central port track (CPT) was 6.75 ± 2.95. CONCLUSION: TJLB is a relatively effective and safe procedure for patients with contraindications to percutaneous liver biopsy.

Clinical and Laboratory Findings in Patients With Acute Respiratory Symptoms That Suggest the Necessity of Chest X-ray for Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a common illness in all parts of the world and is considered as a major cause of death among all age groups. Nevertheless, only about 5% of patients referring to their primary care physicians with acute respiratory symptoms will develop pneumonia. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to derive practical criteria for performing chest radiographs for the evaluation of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 420 patients with acute respiratory symptoms and positive findings on chest radiograph were evaluated from December 2008 to December 2009. The subjects were referred to outpatient clinics or emergency departments of Birjand's medical university hospitals, Iran, and were enrolled as positive cases. A checklist was completed for each patient including their demographic information, clinical signs and symptoms (cough, sputum production, dyspnea, chest pain, fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea), abnormal findings in pulmonary auscultation and laboratory findings (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, and white blood cell count). An equal number of age-matched individuals with acute respiratory symptoms, but insignificant findings on chest radiography, were included as the control group. Finally, the diagnostic values of different findings were compared. RESULTS: The data showed that vital signs and physical examination findings are useful screening parameters for predicting chest radiograph findings in outpatient settings. Therefore, by implementing a prediction rule, we would be able to determine which patients would benefit from a chest X-Ray (sensitivity, 94% and specificity, 57%). CONCLUSIONS: This study's findings suggest that requesting chest radiographs might not be necessary in patients with acute respiratory symptoms unless the vital signs and/or physical examination findings are abnormal. Considering the 94% sensitivity of this rule for predicting CAP, a chest radiograph is required for patients with unreliable follow-ups or moderate to high likelihood of morbidity if CAP is not initially detected.

Comparing color Doppler ultrasonography and angiography to assess traumatic arterial injuries of the extremities.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic events are one of the major causes of arterial injuries. Physical examination is not a good predictor of the extent of injuries and arteriography is considered as the gold standard for this purpose. In the recent years, noninvasive modalities are increasingly replacing diagnostic arteriography. Color Doppler ultrasonography (USG) is an excellent method to investigate arterial diseases. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of color Doppler USG compared to conventional angiography in traumatic arterial injuries of extremities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients with extremity trauma suspicious for arterial injury were examined by color Doppler USG just before angiography. Doppler pattern and flow states were assessed, then angiography was performed. The results of duplex USG were compared with angiography. RESULTS: Color Doppler USG had a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 98% in diagnosis of arterial injury. Positive and negative predictive values of Doppler USG were 92.5% and 94.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler USG can be used as a reliable modality with acceptable sensitivity and specificity values to screen hemodynamically stable patients with limb trauma suspicious for arterial injury.

Comparison of chest x-ray findings of smear positive and smear negative patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a chronic pulmonary infectious disease that has affected one-third of the people in the world. It causes nine million new cases and two million deaths per year. Chest radiography associated with Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining procedure significantly helps the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Chest radiography can help the diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients with a negative smear sample result that is mainly diagnosed with delay. OBJECTIVES: In this study, chest X-ray findings of PTB were compared in two groups of smear positive and smear negative patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective descriptive-analytical study, 376 patients who had been confirmed with PTB were referred to Birjand Health Care Center from 2001 to 2006. Out of the 376 patients, 100 patients with a positive smear based on WHO criteria were selected. In addition, among negative smear patients, 100 were selected in whom similar demographic characteristics with positive smear patients were seen. All of them had undergone chest radiographies that were then interpreted by two expert radiologists independently. Moreover, all patients' sputa were examined by an expert laboratory technician at the reference laboratory of the health center. The obtained data were analyzed by means of frequency distribution table and descriptive statistics using SPSS (version 15) and Chi-square statistical test. RESULTS: Except reticulo-nodular infiltration, the relative frequency of other radiographic findings in positive smear patients were more than negative smear patients; and only differences in calcification variables, mediastinal widening, patchy infiltration and hilar adenopathy were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, although radiographic findings are not diagnostic in PTB, they are helpful if the assessment associates with the view of clinical manifestations and sputum smears.

Inter-rater reliability of modified Alberta Stroke program early computerized tomography score in patients with brain infarction.

BACKGROUND: The Alberta Stroke Program Early Computerized Tomography Score (ASPECTS) was used to detect significant early ischemic changes on brain CT of acute stroke patients. We designed the modified ASPECTS and compared it to the above system based on the inter-rater reliability. METHODS: A cross-sectional validation study was conducted based on the inter-rater reliability. The CT images were chosen from the stroke data bank of Ghaem hospital, Mashhad in 2010. The inclusion criteria were the presence of middle cerebral artery territory infarction and performance of CT within 6 hours after stroke onset. Axial CT scans were performed on a third-generation CT scanner (Siemens, ARTX, Germany). Section thickness above posterior fossa was 10 mm (130 kV, 150 mAs). Films were made at window level of 35 HU. The brain CTs were scored by four independent radiologists based on the ASPECTS and modified ASPECTS. The readers were blind to clinical information except symptom side. Cochrane Q and Kappa tests served for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 24 CT scans were available and of sufficient quality. Difference in distribution of dichotomized ≤7 and >7 ASPECT scores between four raters was significant (Q=13.071, df=3, p=0.04). Distribution of dichotomized <6 and ≥6 scores based on modified ASPECT system between 4 raters was not significantly different (Q=6.349, df=3, p=0.096). CONCLUSIONS: Modified ASPECT method is more reliable than ASPECTS in detecting major early ischemic changes in stroke patients candidated to tPA thrombolysis.