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Background and purpose: Frequent transfusions put the patients with thalassemia at risk of iron overload complications which in turn can lead to failure in the function of organs such as heart and endocrine glands like liver and pancreas. Hence, in this study, the researchers are aiming at investigating the clinical and laboratory changes of pancreas in thalassemic patients.
Materials and methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study in which 64 thalassemia major patients were enrolled and divided in two groups of diabetic and non diabetic. Ïn addition to some demographic and laboratory characteristics, serum amylase, trypsin, lipase, and fecal elastase were measured in both groups. Data were analyzed using t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Fisher’s exact tests.
Results: Significant difference was observed in the mean of the last three serum ferritin level between the two groups (P<0.05). Findings showed that diabetic and non-diabetic patients didn’t have significant differences in the mean level of serum insulin and amylase, and fecal elastase, while significant differences were observed in FBS and 2h postprandial serum glucose (P<0.05). The analysis of the laboratory tests showed significant differences in serum lipase and fecal elastase in the two groups (P<0.05).
Çonclusion: Diabetes mellitus can lead to some adverse effects on pancreatic functions in the thalassemic children. The incidence of diabetes in thalassemia is more due to tissue resistance against insulin rather than pancreatic beta cells destruction and a decline in the serum insulin level.

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Background and purpose: Remifentanil is a short-acting opiod that is metabolized rapidly in the fetus despite its rapid passage through the placenta. Therefore, it induces less adverse effects on the fetus. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two different doses of remifentanil infusion on Âpgar score of neonates and mothers' awareness during general anesthesia in elective Çesarean section.
Materials and methods: This double-blind clinical trial was performed on 90 participants aged 18-35 years who were candidates for elective Çesarean section. They were randomly allocated into three equal groups as follows: the first case group received a remifentanil infusion of 0.2 µg/kg/min, the control group was infused with the same volume and rate of normal saline, finally, the second case group received a remifentanil infusion of 0.1 µg/kg/min. Âpgar scores of neonates were recorded in the 1st and 5th minutes after birth. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rates of mothers were recorded before induction, just before and after tracheal intubation and 5 min after that. Data were analyzed using SPSS17 through t-test, ÂNÔVÂ test and Repeated measures.
Results: Ïn the case groups, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rates of mothers before induction, one minute and five minutes after intubation and after fetus delivery were less than that of the control group and the differences among the groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the mean of Âpgar scores of the neonates one minute and five minutes after birth (P>0.05).
Çonclusion: Ït seems that remifentanil has supportive and controlling effects on oscillatory changes in blood pressure and heart rate of mothers and also it does not have any significant adverse effects on the mother and the fetus. These findings support the widespread use of this systemic opioid in general anesthesia during Çesarean section.

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Abstract Background and purpose: To determine the effect of intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection to treat internal anal sphincter achalasia. Materials and methods: Twenty patients (11 boys, average age 4.95± 2.47 years) with definite diagnosis of internal anal sphincter achalasia received 20 units of botulinum toxin injection in 4 points of the internal anal sphincter (totally 80 units). Then during 8 months of follow up visits, profile and response to treatment and bowel movements criteria of the patients were recorded in a questionnaire Results: All patients except one had treatment response. On 1-month follow-up, response to treatment was excellent in 35% of patients, and average in 60%. Response to treatment after 8 months follow-up was excellent in 50% and average in 40% and 10% was poor. The effect of botulinum toxin in 14 patients continued by the end of follow-up, and in 5 patients lasted between 7 to 20 weeks. The therapeutic response of these people, except one, remained moderate. Transient fecal incontinency was the only complication observed in 3 patients that was resolved after 1 to 3 weeks. Conclusion: Injection of botulinum toxin into the internal anal sphincter is an effective and safe method of treatment for achalasia, with long lasting results and few transient complications.

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Background and purpose: Biomarkers are measurable characteristic that reflect the severity or the presence of some diseases states. It can be used to examine organ function and other aspects of health states. The objective of the current study was to analyze the trend of scientific production originated by Iranian authors. Material and methods: Scientometrics and economic indicators were used to depict the trend of scientific profiles in the field of Biomarkers originated by Iranian authors. Database of MEDLINE was used to obtain all papers indexed as a major main heading of “Biological Markers” through 2000-2011. Results: The analysis of the obtained data indicated that a total number of 394 papers under a Major Main Heading of “Biological Markers” were indexed in MEDLINE during the last decade. Tehran University of Medical Sciences producing 18.78% of total publications from Iran was the most prolific university. The majority of Iranian papers were published by the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. Conclusion: The number of publications originated from Iran has increased linear through the period of study. There was a strong relationship between the number of publication and GDP and the population of countries during the period of study.