α8β1 integrin regulates nutrient absorption through an Mfge8-PTEN dependent mechanism.

Coordinated gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction is critical for proper nutrient absorption and is altered in a number of medical disorders. In this work, we demonstrate a critical role for the RGD-binding integrin α8β1 in promoting nutrient absorption through regulation of gastrointestinal motility. Smooth muscle-specific deletion and antibody blockade of α8 in mice result in enhanced gastric antral smooth muscle contraction, more rapid gastric emptying, and more rapid transit of food through the small intestine leading to malabsorption of dietary fats and carbohydrates as well as protection from weight gain in a diet-induced model of obesity. Mechanistically, ligation of α8β1 by the milk protein Mfge8 reduces antral smooth muscle contractile force by preventing RhoA activation through a PTEN-dependent mechanism. Collectively, our results identify a role for α8β1 in regulating gastrointestinal motility and identify α8 as a potential target for disorders characterized by hypo- or hyper-motility

Lipid bodies containing oxidatively truncated lipids block antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells in cancer

Tumor-associated dendritic cells are defective in their ability to cross-present antigens, and they accumulate lipid bodies. Here the authors show that this defect is due to an impaired trafficking of peptide-MHC class I caused by the interaction of electrophilic lipids with chaperone heat shock protein 70

Epidemiology of Iron deficiency, anemia, Iron deficiency anemia among 6-36 months children in Kashan, 1997

History and Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most frequent underlying causes of anemia around the world especially in developing countries. Nutritional deficiency is the major contributing factor and it has detrimental effect on the physical and cognitive development of individual. Since one of the goals of Ministry of Health and Medical Education is to reduce the prevalence of the Iron deficiency anemia and in order to determine the prevalence of the disease, the resent investigation was performed on children referred to the Kashan medical and hygiene clinics in 1997. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study on 335 infants (6-36 months) referred to the Kashan medical and hygiene clinics was performed. Hemoglobin level (Less than 10.5 g/dl) and serum ferritin (Less than 12 ?g/dl) were used as diagnostic tests. Results: The present study shows anemia, Iron deficiency and Iron deficiency anemia were 22.4, 43.5 and 57.3 respectively. 77.3 of anemias were due to Iron deficiency. The most prevalent age group was 9-24 months. The prevalence of Iron deficiency for term milk feeding, preterm, breast-feeding and non breast-feeding infants were 41.3, 55.1, 42 and 50 respectively. Conclusion: Due to high prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia Iron as prophylactic measure is suggested

First report of Sporotrichal arthritis in Iran

History and Objectives: Due to the prevalence of the arthritis and probability of mycotic nature of some of the arthritic cases, a patient with monoarthritis which had negative test for arthritis indices, who was non-responsive to various medications, was referred to the Mycology Department of Kashan Medical University in 1997. Synovial fluid was taken and analyzed by direct examination, staining, culture growth, injection of the suspension to laboratory animals, autopsy of the infected animal and histological examination. According to the present data, the first case of sporotrichal arthritis in Iran is reported. The patient is a 36 years old woman who was subsequently treated with antimycotic therapy and hence pain and inflammation of knee area disappeared and she did not have any restriction in movement. Therefore, it is suggested that sporotrichal arthritis is included in the differential diagnosis of arthritis

Prevalence of seizure among newly born and hospitalized newborn patients at the pediatric ward of Kashan hospitals, 1995-96

History and Objectives: Seizure is a definitive sign of neurological diseases in children. Irreversible neurological damages can be prevented by rapid diagnosis and proper treatment. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of neonatal seizure among newly born and other newborn patients hospitalized in Kashan hospitals in 1995-1996. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on 5526 newborns and 770 newborns admitted to the hospitals. Diagnosis of seizure was on bases of patient's record and examination by staff of neonatal unit and pediatric residents. The underlying causes of the seizure were determined on the basis of patient's profile, physical and neurological examination, laboratory data and CT-SCAN records. Results: The prevalence of the seizure was 1.3 and 11 among newly born patients and newborn admitted to the hospitals respectively. Hypoxic encephalopathy ischemia (Asphyxia) was the most prevalent cause of seizure (41). Metabolic (18), infectious (15), cerebral hemorrhage (11) and other cause (15) were among other cause of seizure among newborns. Conclusion: Since hypoxic encephalopathyic ischemia is the most prevalent cause of neonatal seizure, further research is needed in order to find out the reason for its appearance and its prevention

Comparative study of the effect of intradermal and intramuscular Hepatitis B vaccine injection

History and Objectives: Due to hepatitis B prevalence and complications resulting from the infection and the fact that prevention of the disease through vaccination has prime importance and because of reported discrepancy concerning the effectiveness of intradermal vaccination of hepatitis B, this study was conduced to compare the effectiveness of intradermal and intermuscular injection of the hepatitis B vaccine among female high school students of Kashan in 1996-1997. Materials and Methods: In a clinical double-blind randomized trial on 200 students, HBsAg and HBSAb were measured by ELISA method before vaccination and positive cases were eliminated. Hundred and ninety students were randomly divided into two groups based on age and high school grade. In the experimental group, 0.1 ml of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Herber Biotech S.A Cuba) was injected by health center technicians intradermally at the three intervals of 0, 1 and 6 months in the flexor surface of forearm intradermally. In the control group, 1ml of the same vaccine with the same time intervals was injected intermuscularly by the same health technicians at the same deltoid region. Three weeks after the last injection, the effect of the vaccination was assessed by ELISA method by laboratory technicians who were unaware of the student group designations. Statistical Fischer test was conducted. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg and HBSAb in population was 4.5 and 0.5 respectively. Experimental and control groups were matched on the basis of age and high school grade. The control group displayed 97.6 positive response, 1.2 weak positive response and 1.2 negative response, whereas the experimental group displayed 93.7, 2.1 and 4.2 respectively. The differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: It seems that due to a very small difference in the effectiveness of 2 methods and low cost of vaccination of intradermal injection, a larger size clinical trial is recommended. A study on the effectiveness of the time intervals for vaccination is also recommended

A clinical survey,diagnostic method,treatment and follow- up of hydatid disease in referred patients to Shahid Beheshti Hospital during (1996-2005).

History and Objective: Human hydati d disease has been world widely spread and its frequency ,clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment and recurrence rate were reported variously. For determining the frequency, surgical results, and recurrence rate, this study was performed in Kashan area. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study on patients with hydatid disease was caried out. Age,sex,living side, clinical loboratory , imaging finding, anatomic location. and operation procedure, were all considered.At the end of the investigation for recurrency, chest X-rey pA Ultra sonography of abdomen and indirect hemagglotination test IHT was performed. Finding: From 135cases (62.2) were female,FM/M:1.6/1 the incidence pick was in (2-30). 58. living in rural area 68 of cyst was in abdomen (liver) and 30 pulmonary, caught and then sputum was the most frequent symptom in pulmonary hydatid disease, abdominal pain and fever in liver hydatid disease was more frequent.  Casoni test in 85.3 pre-operation was positive and indirect hemagglotination test IHT serology after 5years 90 was positive Diagnosis of liver cyst was confirmed by ultra sonography in 98 in lung with chest X ray and CT scan 88.9 and 100 respectively.The most common procedure in liver was cystectomy and omentoplasy ,in lung was systectomy.  We did not use any scolocidall agent and had 4 patients recurrence in liver 3 but no any patient had pulmonary Recurrent. indirect hemagglotination test IHT after 5 years operation in 88.4 was positive Conclusion: It seams that after perfect surgery no scolocidal drug administration is necessary and indirect hemagglotination test IHT is an excellent sero diagnostic mean

Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Dextrose Versus Corticosteroid in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Management: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Design: Chronic plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common cause of chronic heel pain, with different conventional treatment options. In this randomized clinical trial, the effect of ultrasound-guided injection of dextrose versus corticosteroid in chronic PF was evaluated and compared. Methods: A total of 44 patients suffering from chronic PF who visited the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic were enrolled in the study. Two table-randomized groups were formed. They received an ultrasonography-guided, single injection of either 40 mg methylprednisolone or 20 dextrose. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire with 2 subscales, Activities of Daily Living (FAAM-A) and Sports (FAAM-S), along with ultrasonographic parameters were evaluated before and at 2 and 12 weeks after the injection. Results. A total of 40 participants completed the study. Both interventions significantly improved pain and function at 2 and 12 weeks postinjection. After 2 weeks, compared with the dextrose prolotherapy, the corticosteroid group had significantly lower daytime and morning NRS scores (2.55 vs 4.1, P =.012, and 2.75 vs 4.65, P =.004), higher FAAM-S (66.84 vs 54.19; P =.047), and lower plantar fascia thickness at insertion and 1 cm distal to the insertion zone (3.89 vs 4.29 mm, P =.004, and 3.13 vs 3.48 mm, P =.002), whereas FAAM-A was similar in both groups (P =.219). After 12 weeks, all study variables were statistically similar between corticosteroid and dextrose prolotherapy groups. No injection-related side effects were recorded in either group. Conclusion: Both methods are effective. Compared with dextrose prolotherapy, our results show that corticosteroid injection may have superior therapeutic effects early after injection, accompanied by a similar outcome at 12 weeks postinjection. Levels of Evidence: Level II © 2021 The Author(s)