Background:The role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the maintenance of vascularization following ischemic brain after experimental stroke has been established. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the role of circulating EPCs in transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients for future cerebrovascular (CV) events.Materials and Methods:The level of circulating EPCs (staining markers: CD34, CD309) were determined using flow cytometry at 24 h after TIA in thirty consecutive patients. The EPCs level was also evaluated once in thirty healthy volunteers. Over a period of 12 months, all patients were evaluated by an experienced neurologist for recurrent TIA, stroke or death induced by CV disorders.Results:Circulating EPCs increased in patients group following the first attack of TIA when compared with controls. By analysis of covariance, cardiovascular event history, hyperlipidemia, and statin therapy remained significant independent predictors of EPCs. The mean (standard deviation) duration of follow-up was 10.5 (3.1) months (range, 2–12 months). During follow-up, a total of three patients died due to CV accident and four patients experienced again recurrent TIA. By analyzing data with Cox regression, EPC did not predict the future CV events in TIA patients.Conclusion:Increased incidence of future CV events did not occur in those patients with elevated EPCs in the first attack of TIA. The significant predicting factors of EPCs were cardiovascular event history, hyperlipidemia, and statin therapy.
Background:Trace elements have long been suspected to be involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis, but their exact roles have been remained controversial. In this study, we assessed the levels of copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in different stage of PD patients.Materials and Methods:Serum concentrations of iron, copper and zinc were measured in 109 patients with PD by colorimetric methods. Staging of the disease was evaluated according to Hoehn and Yahr (H and Y) and Unified PD Rating Scale III (UPDRS).Results:Severity values of PD measured by UPRDSIII and HY stages with mean ± SD were 22.9 ± 1.81 and 1.8 ± 1.1, respectively. Mean ± SD values of iron, zinc and copper are 100.7 ± 289.2, 68.3 ± 5.32, and 196.8 ± 162.1 μg/dl, respectively. Serum iron level in most of the patients was normal (76.6%). Whereas zinc concentration in most participants was below the normal range (64.5%) and serum Cu in the majority of patients had a high normal concentration (42.7%) and did not significantly differ among various PD stages.Conclusion:The result of this study does not confirm strong correlation between PD stages and serum levels of tested trace elements. The actual correlations between these elements and PD and whether modulating of these agents levels could be an effective approach in the treatment of this disease remain to be elucidated.
Introduction: Psychological factors play an important role in post-partum period and they may cause some disorders such as post-partum depression. These disorders may be correlated with delivery modes. This study was designed to evaluated depression and social support in women who underwent elective or non-elective Cesarean delivery. Methods and Materials: This case-control study was conducted on 140 pregnant women who referred to Shairaaty Hospital, Isfahan, between 2011 and 2012. Seventy participants had a maternal request for Cesarean. Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS-P) questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used for social support and depression evaluation in the subjects. Result: Mean age in the elective Cesarean group was 27.48 ± 4.25 years and mean age in group B was 27 + 4.16 years. 31.5% of the women who underwent elective Cesarean and 27.2% of the participants who underwent Cesarean with a medical reason had depression according to the BDI (p value =0.515) and there was no significant difference between the groups in the social support subscales (p value >0.05). Conclusion: According to our results and previous reports, there was no association between the delivery mode and post-partum psychological disorders; however, family support may decrease these disorders.[GMJ. 2012;1(2):72-77]
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