Rapid diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an important task in patient's prognosis and treatment. Although PV is routinely diagnosed through investigation of pathology specimens and direct immunofluorescence assays, Tzanck smear can be used as rapid, inexpensive, and easily used test to confirm its clinical diagnosis. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of Tzanck smear in erosive oral lesions of PV and also determine its sensitivity and specificity for diagnostic purposes. A total of 68 patients with erosive/ulcerated oral lesions were included in this study and divided into PV (case group) vs other causes of erosive oral lesions (control group). From all participants, two Tzanck smears were prepared for both Giemsa and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. For definite diagnosis, histopathology and direct immunofluorescence evaluations were performed based on clinical findings. The sensitivity of acantholytic cells in Tzanck smear of erosive oral lesions of PV cases was 80.5% (for both Giemsa and H&E staining), whereas specificity values of Giemsa and H&E staining were 84.6% and 96.3%, respectively. Based on our findings, the Tzanck smear of erosive oral lesions is a simple, quick, and inexpensive test for screening and primary diagnosis of PV.
Background: There are various ways to improve the quality of life of social groups. Evaluation of these strategies and improvement of the quality of life of nursing staff should be prioritized by the healthcare administration. Objectives: This study aimed to measure the quality of life and related factors in the nursing staff of three selected hospitals. Methods: This periodic descriptive study was conducted on 200 nurses working in three hospitals of Tehran, Iran. The quality of life data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, and the demographic data were collected and analyzed in SPSS for Windows, version 16 (released in 2007, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Results: The average scores of physical, mental, social, and environmental health were measured in this study. Mental health showed the highest score, whereas environmental health had the lowest score. No significant correlation was found between the nurses’ income level and quality of life. Conclusions: The environmental and social health scores were significantly higher in married women as compared to men. Also, the score of social health was higher in married nurses, regardless of gender. Therefore, improvement of nurses’ quality of life should be prioritized by health managers in healthcare plans in the light of various factors described in this study.
Introduction: Coronary Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Atherosclerosis could be detected noninvasively by coronary calcification, measured by calcium score in CT angiography. Dietary factors are influential in the evolution of coronary plaques, and one of the most prevalent drinks is black tea. We aimed to evaluate the effects of black tea on coronary calcium scores. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical descriptive study was conducted on 200 candidates for CT angiography referred by their physician because their symptoms were suggestive of ischemia. A questionnaire was filled out for every participant, and the habit of tea drinking was asked and marked as none drinker, 1-3 cups per day and >3 cups per day. Results: 89.5% of the participants consumed tea. The mean calcium score in patients who did not drink tea was 674.9±154.74 in those patients who drank 1-3 glasses per day, 269.5±46.9 and in those who drank more than three glasses of tea and was 261.1±45.2. There was a significant statistical relationship between calcium scores and tea intake, independent to other traditional risk factors (P= 0.001). Significant coronary artery plaques were also less prevalent in those who drank tea (36% and 41% in 1-3 and >3 cups, respectively) than non-drinkers (67%). Still, the number of involved vessels was not significantly different. Conclusion: Regular black tea consumption could have protective effects on coronary artery calcification.
: Our case was a 70-year-old male with a past history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery and true aneurysmectomy seven years ago who presented with chest pain and dyspnea. Echocardiography demonstrated scarred and aneurysmal apex (6.15 cm × 2.19 cm) with a small rupture just at most protruding part of it, to and from flow across this rupture site resulted in slow oozing of blood into pericardial sac with mobile clot in apex, clot formation in pericardial sac extended into both apical parts and distorted apical and apicoseptal geometry without communication with right ventricular cavity. Cardiac MRI (CMR) showed the following data: large apical pseudoaneurysm at the site of ruptured patch (depth: 46 mm, width: 60 mm), narrow orifice (5 mm), septated left ventricular apical outpouching surrounded by apical layers and included clots in different sizes and ages. He underwent a successful surgical operation. In this case, CMR provides excellent images essential for patient management.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.