18 research outputs found
High sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with the metabolic syndrome independent to viral and bacterial pathogen burden
To investigate the influences of bacterial or viral pathogen burden in the relationship of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the metabolic syndrome in a population-based study.
METHODS:
Data from 1754 men and women aged >or=25 years, from the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study were analyzed. The definition of the metabolic syndrome according to the Adult Treatment Panel III was used. Sera were analyzed for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Helicobacter pylori and cytomegalovirus using ELISA. Measurement of CRP by a high-sensitivity CRP assay was done.
RESULTS:
The subjects with the metabolic syndrome had a higher geometric mean of CRP levels than the normal persons (p<0.0001). A linear relationship between an increase in the number of metabolic syndrome components and CRP concentrations was observed (p for trend<0.0001). In multiple logistic regression models, hs-CRP showed significant associations with the metabolic syndrome after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and infectious burden divided into 2, 3 and 4 pathogens [OR=2.06, CI (1.32-3.21), p=0.001; OR=1.75, CI (1.26-2.42), p=0. 001; OR=2.12, CI (1.46-3.08), p<0.0001; respectively]
The metabolic syndrome is not associated with homocysteinemia: The Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study
Background: It is uncertain whether homocysteine
and the metabolic syndrome or its components are related
in the general population, as studies investigating the
association between homocysteine levels and insulin resistance
have shown conflicting results. Methods: In an ancillary
study to the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study, a cohort
study of Iranian men and women aged ≥25 yr, a random sample
of 1754 subjects were evaluated for the association of
plasma homocysteine levels and the metabolic syndrome using
National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult
Treatment Panel (ATP)-III criteria. Total homocysteine levels
and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined
by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Subjects
with lower HDL-cholesterol and higher blood pressure
showed significantly higher homocysteine levels (p=0.001
and p<0.0001; respectively). There was no significant difference
in serum levels of homocysteine between subjects with
and without the metabolic syndrome. In multiple logistic regression
analysis, the metabolic syndrome did not show a
significant association with serum homocysteine levels after
adjusting for sex, age, smoking, fruit and vegetable intake
pattern, body mass index, and physical inactivity. Concurrent
elevated CRP levels and the metabolic syndrome also did not
show a significant association with serum homocysteine levels
after adjusting for sex, age, and lifestyle cardiovascular
risk factors. Conclusions: There was no association between
the metabolic syndrome using NCEP-ATPIII criteria and homocysteinemia
in this study. These data refute the hypothesis
that homocysteine levels are influenced by the metabolic
syndrome, at least in general healthy population
Diagnostic role of whole body bone scintigraphy in atypical skeletal tuberculosis resembling multiple metastases: a case report
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Osseous tuberculosis can be present with unifocal or multifocal bony involvement. Although multifocal involvement of the skeletal system in areas where tuberculosis is endemic is not a rare presentation, its exact prevalence is not well known. A case of atypical skeletal tuberculosis mimicking multiple secondary metastases on radiologic and scintigraphic imaging is presented to emphasize the contribution of bone scintigraphy in the assessment of osseous tuberculosis in typical and atypical presentations.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 73-year-old cachectic Asian man (Iranian) presented with a general feeling of being unwell and an acute loss of vision in his left eye accompanied by a severe headache. A Tc-99 m-methylene diphosphonate bone scan demonstrated multiple regions of intense activity in the appendicular and axial skeleton, suggesting metastatic involvement. Tumor markers (PSA, CA125, CA 19-9 and AFP) were within normal ranges. Based on clinical presentation and laboratory, radiological and scintigraphic findings, a presumptive diagnosis of tuberculosis was made. Quadruple antituberculous chemotherapy was consequently started and the patient later showed marked improvement.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Scintigraphic bone scanning should be kept in mind when assessing bone pain in patients at a high risk of tuberculosis infection or reactivation. We present this unusual case of multifocal skeletal tuberculosis, and stress the related clinical and diagnostic points with the aim of stimulating a high index of suspicion that could facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.</p
Comparison of methods for determination of glomerular filtration rate: low and high-dose Tc-99m-DTPA renography, predicted creatinine clearance method, and plasma sample method
The gamma camera uptake method with
Tc-99m-DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is
a simple method for determination of glomerular
filtration rate (GFR), and is less time-consuming than
other methods, but its diagnostic accuracy is debated.
Gate’s method (low-dose; LD), the high-dose method
(HD), the predicted-clearance method, and the plasmaclearance
method with Tc-99m-DTPA are compared in
this study. We also performed GFR measurement and
diuretic renography simultaneously. Tc-99m DTPA
renography was performed in 36 patients aged 18–72
years with a wide range of renal function (serum
creatinine 1.37 ± 0.49mg/dl).GFR was determined by
four methods: the gamma camera uptake method with
low-dose Tc-99m DTPA (Gates, LD); the gamma
camera uptake method with high-dose Tc-99m DTPA
(HD); the predicted creatinine clearance method (Cockcroft–
Gualt, CG); and the plasma sample clearance
(PSC) method using a mono-exponential curve. The
PSC method was chosen as reference. The regression
equations for the CG, Gates (low-dose), and HD
methods against the PSC method were 28.68 + 0.80X
(r = 0.72; P value\0.0001, RMSE = 21.65 ml/min/
1.73 m2), 6.19 + 0.79X (r = 0.90; P value\0.0001,
RMSE = 10.64 ml/min/1.73 m2), and 6.53 + 0.88X
(r = 0.93; P value\0.0001, RMSE = 9.35 ml/min/
1.73 m2), respectively. In comparison with determination
of GFR by the PSC method, the CGmethod tended
to overestimate GFR while, perversely, the LD and HD
methods tended to underestimate GFR. The three
methods were in agreement with the PSC method but
the high-dose GFR method resulted in less error in
estimation of GFR. Furthermore, GFR measurement
and diuretic renography could be performed at the same
time when the high-dose method was used. Because of
the low cost and negligible radiation burden, this
method might be preferred for routine practice in
nuclear medicine
A simple way to distinguish bed clothing contamination in a whole body bone scan: a case report
Whole body bone scan with Technetium-99m MDP (methylene diphosphate) can detect bony lesions due to altered osteoblastic activity
Whole body bone scintigraphy in osseous hydatosis: a case report
Hydatid disease is common in many parts of the world, and causes considerable health and economic loss. This disease may develop in almost any part of the body
The metabolic syndrome is not associated with homocysteinemia: The Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study
ABSTRACT. Background: It is uncertain whether homocysteine
and the metabolic syndrome or its components are related
in the general population, as studies investigating the
association between homocysteine levels and insulin resistance
have shown conflicting results. Methods: In an ancillary
study to the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study, a cohort
study of Iranian men and women aged ≥25 yr, a random sample
of 1754 subjects were evaluated for the association of
plasma homocysteine levels and the metabolic syndrome using
National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult
Treatment Panel (ATP)-III criteria. Total homocysteine levels
and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined
by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Subjects
with lower HDL-cholesterol and higher blood pressure
showed significantly higher homocysteine levels (p=0.001
and p<0.0001; respectively). There was no significant difference
in serum levels of homocysteine between subjects with
and without the metabolic syndrome. In multiple logistic regression
analysis, the metabolic syndrome did not show a
significant association with serum homocysteine levels after
adjusting for sex, age, smoking, fruit and vegetable intake
pattern, body mass index, and physical inactivity. Concurrent
elevated CRP levels and the metabolic syndrome also did not
show a significant association with serum homocysteine levels
after adjusting for sex, age, and lifestyle cardiovascular
risk factors. Conclusions: There was no association between
the metabolic syndrome using NCEP-ATPIII criteria and homocysteinemia
in this study. These data refute the hypothesis
that homocysteine levels are influenced by the metabolic
syndrome, at least in general healthy population
Accelerated wound healing induced by spinach extract in experimental model diabetic rats with streptozotocin
Abstract Patients with diabetes often have difficult-to-heal wounds. Spinacia oleracea extract comprises anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative compounds; this research, therefore, studied the impact of Spinacia oleracea extracts on ulcer regeneration. This study was conducted on 72 adult Wistar rats (200 ± 20 g). They were randomly divided into six groups of twelve. A: Diabetic group receiving normal saline. B: Non-diabetic group receiving normal saline. C: Diabetic group receiving spinach aqueous extract. D: Diabetic group receiving spinach alcoholic extract. E: preventive group that received aqueous extract for 2 months. F: preventive group that received alcoholic extract for 2 months. Ulcer regeneration, vascular endothelium growth factor, blood sugar, and weight changes were measured on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30. Macroscopic investigation of the wounds non-diabetic control group, diabetic group, as well as spinach aqueous and alcoholic extract groups, were compared and there were significant changes (P < 0.05). Pathologic examination in the spinach aqueous and alcoholic extract groups, and nondiabetic group than in the diabetic group revealed significant advances (P <  0.05). On the third and seventh days, Vascular endothelium growth factor detected significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). Results indicate that, in regenerating diabetic ulcers, Spinacia oleracea may be effective. It influences the ulcer structure and speed