The pre- and postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios: The comparison of laparoscopy and laparotomy in colorectal cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: The management of inflammation after colorectal surgery is important to decrease the susceptibility to postoperative complications. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the peripheral blood are known as two important inflammatory markers. In this study we evaluated and compared colorectal laparoscopy and laparotomy based on the PLR and NLR. METHODS: Totally, 76 patients were divided into two groups including patients who underwent laparoscopy (45 cases) or laparotomy (31 cases). The PLR and NLR were calculated based on cell blood count analysis of preoperative and postoperative day (POD) one and three in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: The PLR and NLR have no significant association with age, gender and tumor site (p > 0.05). However, both ratios were significantly increased in laparotomy patients at POD1 compared with the laparoscopy patients (p < 0.05). According to the two by two comparisons, the preoperative and postoperative PLR were significantly different in the laparotomy group (p < 0.05) but not in the laparoscopy group (p > 0.05). However, the preoperative and postoperative NLR were significantly different in both laparoscopy and laparotomy groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The NLR and PLR markers indicated that laparoscopy can be a better choice for colorectal surgery due to lower induction of inflammation compared with laparotomy.

Abundance and properties of microplastics found in commercial fish meal and cultured common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Microplastics (MPs) are environmental contaminants that are of increasing global concern. This study investigated the presence of MPs in four varieties of marine-derived commercial fish meal, followed by identification of their polymer composition using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Exposure experiments were conducted on cultured common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by feeding four varieties of commercially available fish meal to determine relationships between abundance and properties of MPs found both in meal and in those transferred to cultured common carp. Mean particle sizes were 452 ± 161 µm (± SD). Fragments were the predominant shape of MP found in fish meal (67%) and C. carpio gastrointestinal tract and gills (65%), and polypropylene and polystyrene were the most present plastic polymers found in fish meal (45% and 24%, respectively) and C. carpio (37% and 33%, respectively). Positive relationships were found between MP levels in fish meal and C. carpio. This study highlights that marine-derived fish meal may be a source of MPs which can be transferred to cultured fish, thus posing a concern for aquaculture.

Prevalence of stomach cancer in Shiraz, Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, cancer of stomach is still the fourth common cancer and the second cause of mortality among all cancers affecting annually 870,000 subjects. This study aims to determine the frequency and the characteristics of gastric cancer in southern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10,800 of all cancers registered in Fars Hospital-based Cancer Registry were surveyed among which 574 cases were gastric cancer in both genders and all age groups. From January 2002 to December 2007, all hospital-based data were recorded according to International Classification of Disease for Oncology (ICD-O) and registered cases included all invasive cancers in ICD-10 categories of C-00 to C-80 and all duplicate cases were eliminated. RESULTS: Among all registered cancers, there were 574 cases of gastric cancer including 69.3% males. The mean age of patients was 58.1 ± 14.8 years, 25.4% with a history of in their first relatives and most of them were smokers (50.9%) and from low socioeconomic class (45.5%). Metastasis was visible in 182 patients and majority of them underwent surgery (64.3%). The majority of gastric cancer patients were older than 50 years, smokers, low socioeconomic class, and female in favor of adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that in our area, treatment programs and health plans should focus on men, patients older than 50 years and with adenocarcinoma, smokers, and those in a low income level.

Development and validation of LC-MS/MS method for the determination of cyproheptadine in several pharmaceutical syrup formulations.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the qualitative and quantitative assay of cyproheptadine (CP) in pharmaceutical samples. Diphenylpyraline hydrochloride (DPP) was used as an internal standard (IS). Two multiple reaction-monitoring (MRM) transitions for each analyte were observed: 288.1/96.1 and 288.1/191.2 for CP and 282.1/167.2 and 282.1/116.3 for DPP. The retention time of the drug was 7.29 min. The analytical method was successfully validated for linearity (1-100 ng/ml), intra-day precision, inter-day precision, and accuracy. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.86 and 0.98 ng/ml, respectively. The proposed method was applied to analyse the cyproheptadine content from seven different syrup formulations.

Application of dummy molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction in the analysis of cyproheptadine in bovine urine.

Due to the difficulty of monitoring trace levels of cyproheptadine (CYP) residues in complicated biological matrices, specific adsorption materials for the preconcentration and clean-up of CYP are indispensable. In this work, CYP was extracted from urine using dummy molecularly imprinted SPE (DMISPE) to avoid leakage of the imprinting molecules during the desorption phase. For synthesis of DMISPE, azatadine (AZA) was employed as the dummy template, methacrylic acid (MAA) as the monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker, 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) as the initiator, and dichloromethane as the porogen solvent. An LC-MS/MS method was used to analyze CYP. Two MRM (multiple reaction monitoring) transitions for each analyte were monitored using diphenylpyraline hydrochloride (DPP.HCl), which was used as an internal standard. The advantages of DMISPE include obtaining less complex chromatograms and reducing ion suppression in ESI. The process efficiencies for DMISPE and SPE were 80% and 12%, respectively. In addition, the demonstrated reusability of the DMISPE cartridges is an advantage compared with single-use SPE cartridges or immunoaffinity materials.

The effect of silver nitrate, chloroformic garlic extract, and normal saline in induction of sclerosing cholangitis in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 0.5% silver nitrate, 20% chloroformic garlic extract, and 0.9% normal saline in induction of sclerosing cholangitis in the bile ducts of rabbits. METHODS: During a-6-months period from April to September 2006 in Shiraz University Laboratory Animal Research Center, we selected 3 equal groups of rabbits. We injected 0.5% silver nitrate, 20% chloroformic garlic extract, and 0.9% normal saline into the bile ducts of each group. The animals were euthanized, and autopsied after 4 months and the liver and bile ducts were removed and studied histopathologically. Cholangiography was undertaken to evaluate the presence and extent of any sclerosing cholangitis. RESULTS: Animals showed sclerosing cholangitis in silver nitrate group (7 [58%]), one (8%) in chloroformic garlic extract group and one (7%) in normal saline group. The difference between silver nitrate and chloroformic garlic extract groups were statistically significant and similar results were noticed between chloroformic garlic extract and normal saline groups. CONCLUSION: Twenty percent of chloroformic garlic extract had fewer complications such as sclerosing cholangitis, compared to other materials.

Comparison between Alpha and silver sulfadiazine ointments in treatment of Pseudomonas infections in 3rd degree burns.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Alpha ointment in the treatment of burn wounds and compare its results with silver sulfadiazine (SS). Similar burn ulcers were produced on anterior surface of thigh of 60 rats. The wounds were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and dressing and debridement was performed daily. The first group of rats received topical SS, the second group received Alpha ointment and the third (control group) received no medication. Wound healing, contraction, culture, and scar formation were evaluated at the end of the second and 10th week. Alpha ointment was equally effective as SS, considering wound healing and contraction. Wound infection was significantly less common in Alpha ointment group compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Alpha ointment is a less expensive drug with an acceptable result compared to SS. Therefore, we recommend it as an alternative to SS, especially in patients with low economical backgrounds or in those who show adverse reactions to SS.

The effect of season and Ramadan fasting on the onset of acute cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Ramadan fasting and seasonal variation has any effect on the onset of acute cholecystitis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Faghihi and Namazee Hospitals between September 1999 to August 2004. All files of patients with definite diagnosis of gallstone induced acute cholecystitis were reviewed for age, gender, date and method of treatment in relation to seasons and Ramadan fasting month. For comparison, we used Shaaban months (prior months) and Shavval months (following months). RESULTS: Eight hundred and sixty-four files (32.7% male and 62.8% were female) with definite diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were reviewed. Mean age was 56.3 +/- 16.18 years. The frequency of acute cholecystitis was higher in summer in comparison with other seasons. The difference in the frequency of acute cholecystitis in Ramadan in comparison with Shaaban and Shavval months was not considerable. CONCLUSION: Acute cholecystitis displays seasonal characteristics; however, this seasonal variability would be influenced by other unknown environmental and genetic factors. Ramadan fasting may not precipitate the onset of acute cholecystitis.

The comparison between drainage, delayed excision and primary closure with excision and secondary healing in management of pilonidal abscess.

OBJECTIVE: There are numerous methods of treatment for pilonidal abscess; however the best method in acute pilonidal abscess has remained controversial. The present study was designed to compare drainage, delayed excision and primary closure with excision and secondary healing in this relation. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial study among 102 patients with definite diagnosis of pilonidal abscess referred to the Colorectal Clinic of Nemazee Hospital, 80 patients who fulfilled the criteria of entering the study were selected and divided into two groups of A and B. The exclusion criteria were any history of pilonidal abscess operation, diabetes mellitus, renal failure and immunosuppression. In group A, drainage and delayed excision (3weeks afterwards) and primary closure were performed while in group B, excision and secondary healing was performed. Patients were followed twice a week for 1month and then 2, 6 and 12months after the operation. The two methods were compared in terms of time period for wound healing, postoperative complications and any sign of recurrence. RESULTS: Symptoms were relieved in all patients. All patients returned to work 7-9days after the operation. After 6months, there was no signs of recurrence in both groups. After 12months in group B, the same results were observed as previous months while in group A, 14% developed recurrence of pilonidal abscess. Wound infection was noticed in 5.6% of patients in group A and 2.5% in group B and the difference was not significant (p>0.05). All patients in group B developed wound healing during 6weeks except two of them who had a delay in this finding up to 8weeks. CONCLUSION: The results of drainage and primary wound closure were comparable to the excision and secondary wound healing except in the rate of recurrence which was more frequent in the primary wound closure. As a result, in spite of much property and comfort of primary wound closure, this method would not be recommended for all cases with acute pilonidal abscess.