---

Background and Objective: Several studies have shown that during stroke changes occur in some paraclinic parameters which may have either prognostic or diagnostic value, including electrocardiographic changes. This study was done to evaluate the prognostic value of prolonged QT segment in patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study with an easy convenient sampling was carried out on 175 patients (73 male and 102 female) with acute ischemic stroke whome have been diagnosed by brain imaging (computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging). All patients were suffering from stroke for the first time and if they use any drug or have underlying disease except diabetes mellitus- hypertension- heart disease and hyperlipidemia were excluded. In the first 24 hours of admission, an electrocardiogram (ECG) were taken for measurement of QT segment and according to death or discharge, patients were divided into two groups, and the mean of QT segment (corrected QT) subsequently were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15, Chi-Square and independent t-tests. Results: Twenty patients died in the course of admission. The mean of QT segment (corrected QT) in dead patients was 471.15±61.70 and in discharged patients was 421.52±62.96 (P<0.05). The abundance of prolonged QT segment accompanied with death was more frequent. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and heart disease were significantly correlated with morbidity and mortality (P<0.05). There is no relation between mortality with age and sex. Conclusion: This study showed that mean of QT segment (corrected) and also cases of prolonged QT segment were abundant among dead patients, therefore prolongation of QT segment has prognostic value in patients with ischemic stroke.

---

Background and Objective: The rise of antibiotic resistance particulary Methicillin resistance in pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus is found to be an emerging threat to human health especially in hospitals. Heavy metal nanoparticles such as Ag used for inhibition of this bacterium. This study was done to determine of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) Ag nanoparticle against Staphylococcus aureus which isolated in Gorgan, north of Iran and its relation with Methicillin resistance and source of bacteria.

Methods: In this descriptive – analytical study, the MIC Ag nanoparticle in 183 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus by microdilution method was determined. 30 isolates, based on mecA gene was considered as MRSA. Samples were collected from patients, nose of healthy carriers and foods. Compare the MIC of isolates based on Methicillin resistance, source of the bacteria and resistance to other antibiotics were assessed.

Results: Out of 183 samples MIC was varied from 1 to 16 µg/ml, and mean±std was 2.9±1.89 µg/ml. MIC mean of silver nanoparticles in isolated from foods were 2±0.7, isolared from healthy carriers were 4.1±2.4 and from patients were 3.4±2.1 µg/ml and were statically significant (P<0.05). MIC mean of silver nanoparticles in MSSA isolates are 3.9±2.3 and in MRSA isolates are 2.4±1.4 µg/ml that were statically significant (P<0.05). MIC mean of gentamycin resistant isolate were lower than sensitive one. But between MIC of silver nanoparticles and other antibiotics resistance was not significant statistically.

Conclusion: There is a relation between silver nanoparticle MIC, source of sample isolation, Methicillin and gentamycin resistance. Since MIC of silver nanoparticles on isolates of Methicillin resistant is low, the possibility of its use in the control of MRSA in hospital infections can be considered as a prime attention the Gentamycine.

---

Varicocele is a deficiency of the testicular veins which is recognized by elongation and tortuosity of the pampiniform or cremasteric venous plexus and can lead to impaired spermatogenesis. Varicocele intensity is associated with the reduction of male fertility potential. This review article discusses the effects of varicocele on spermatogenesis process and fertility potential, etiology of varicocele, therapeutic approaches, and the result of treatment. All the published papers from 1975 to 2018 from databases bank such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed with keywords; infertility, varicocele, varicocelectomy, spermatogenesis, clinical outcome were collected and within these papers, only 74 papers were included for this study. Increased of testicular temperature, backflow of toxic metabolites from the kidney or adrenal glands, hypoxia, hormonal disturbances and oxidative stress are the most prevalent pathogenic cause of varicocele that they can alter testis and sperm functions. Several studies show that varicocelectomy can improve sperm parameters, chromatin statue and fertility potential in infertile men with varicocele. Possibly, treatment of varicocele before assisted reproduction technologies could increase the chance of spontaneous pregnancy in these infertile men.