In view of the high incidence rate of urinary stones in the south and southwest of Iran, this paper investigates trace elements content including heavy metals in 39 urinary stones, collected from patients in Fars province, Iran. The mineralogy of the stones is investigated using X-ray diffractometry. The samples are classified into five mineral groups (calcium oxalate, uric acid, cystine, calcium phosphate and mixed stone). Major and trace elements in each group were determined using ICP-MS method. P and Ca constitute the main elements in urinary stones with Ca being more affine to oxalates while other alkali and alkaline earths precipitate with phosphate. Significant amounts of trace elements, especially Zn and Sr, were found in urinary calculi (calcium oxalate and phosphates) relative to biominerals (uric acid and cystine). Among urinary calculi, calcium phosphate contains greater amounts of trace metal than calcium oxalate. Phosphates seem to be the most important metal-bearing phases in urinary stones. Results indicate that concentrations of elements in urinary stones depend on the type of mineral phases. Significant differences in elements content across various mineralogical groups were found by applying statistical methods. Kruskal-Wallis test reveals significant difference between Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, S, Zn, Sr, Se, Cd, and Co content in different investigated mineral groups. Moreover, Mann-Whitney test differentiates Ca, Na, Zn, Sr, Co, and Ni between minerals in oxalate and uric acid stones. This study shows that urinary stone can provide complementary information on human exposure to elements and estimate the environmental risks involved in urinary stones formation.
This investigation reports the mineralogy and possible pathological significance of urinary stones removed from patients in Fars province, Iran. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarizing microscope (PM) techniques were used to investigate the mineralogical compositions of urinary stones. The identified mineral components include whewellite, weddellite, hydroxyapatite, uricite and cystine. These techniques revealed that the whewellite and uricite were the most common mineral phases. Platy-like/monoclinic whewellite, prismatic/monoclinic uric acid and hexagonal cystine crystals were revealed by SEM. Biominerals (calcium carbonate) and quartz were also identified in PM images. Of the variables determining the type of precipitated minerals, the effects of pH on depositional conditions proved to be the most apparent parameter, as shown by occurrences and relationships among the studied minerals. Our results revealed the importance of detailed knowledge of mineralogical composition in assessing the effects of age and sex. The highest incidence of urinary stones was observed in the 40-60 age group. Calcium oxalate and uric acid stones are more frequent in men than women. Finally, the study concluded that knowledge of the mineralogical composition of urinary stones is important as it helps the scientific community to explain the chemistry and the etiology of the calculi in the urinary system.
Background. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a serious invasive fungal infection that is one of the most aggressive and lethal of invasive mycoses. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been linked to immune dysregulation, and patients with COVID-19 have been reported to be at risk for developing invasive fungal infections. This study is conducted to evaluate the concurrence of mucormycosis among COVID-19 patients. Methods. In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, hospital records of patients with mucormycosis, as well as COVID-19 admitted to Khalili Hospital, as the major referral center for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in southern Iran, were collected. Demographic and clinical information was extracted and subsequently analyzed. Results. Among 59 mucormycosis patients undergoing FESS, 41 (69.5%) were during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 18 (30.5%) were during one year before the COVID-19 pandemic. The average age was 49.33 ± 20.52, and 64.4% had diabetes mellitus, while 62.7% had COVID-19. The most common presentation was periorbital edema (56.9%), followed by necrotic tissue (48.3%). Although the total number of cases increased during the COVID-19 period compared to the case before the pandemic, the overall pattern and features of the patients had no significant difference, except regarding a significant increase in the presentation of necrotic tissue and also the use of corticosteroids. Most cases developed mucormycosis two weeks after COVID-19. The overall mortality was 36.8%, which is not statistically associated with COVID-19. Conclusion. Even in the absence of comorbidities, physicians should be aware of the risk of secondary fungal infections in patients with COVID-19 who were treated with corticosteroids.
Background & aim: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is) is a routine telescopic surgery for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which results in an unpleasant sensation due to the presence of a urinary catheter. Studies have shown that muscarinic receptor antagonists and opioids can reduce the incidence and severity of this unpleasant sensation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of localized prostate blockade using bupivacaine on the unpleasant sensation caused by a urethral catheter after prostate resection surgery. Methods: The present study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial research. The statistical population included 42 patients scheduled for TURP in the hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Patients were divided into two groups: one bupivacaine treatment group (0.5mg/kg) by trans-perinatal method in periprostatic space on both sides and two (control group). In this study, the degree of discomfort until recovery was evaluated every half hour, the duration of Aldrete score to 9 and the degree of dissatisfaction caused by urethral catheter in patients undergoing prostate resection. The collected data were analyzed using statistical tests of Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, ttest, Mann-Whitney. Results: Both study groups were similar in terms of baseline characteristics. Urinary catheter dissatisfaction was assessed after surgery and a significant difference was seen between the two groups. The mean time of patients in the recovery room in group two groups of control was significantly longer than group one (p≤0.165) and these patients reached the Aldrete score of 9 in a longer period of time. The mean duration of patients in the control groups in the recovery room was 118.81±56.45 minutes and in the treatment group were 97.14±27.90 minutes. No statistically significant difference was observed in morphine use between the two groups and no specific complication was observed in either groups. Conclusion: Consuming bupivacaine for localized blockade of the prostate in patients undergoing prostate resection surgery can reduce the discomfort caused by the presence of a urinary catheter, the length of time in the recovery ward and the level of dissatisfaction in recovery ward patients.
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