Isolation of rapid growing mycobacteria from soil and water in Iran

A total of 350 soil samples were collected from different part of Uremia city and suburbs. We used 3% sodium lauryl sulfate and 1% NaOH for decontamination of soil samples. Of 350 samples, mycobacteria were isolated from 65 (18.3%) specimens. Mycobacterium fortuitum with 18(5.14) strains yielded the highest frequency of isolation. The other isolates were: Mycobacterium peregrinum 11(3.14%), Mycobacterium flvescens 10 (2.85%), Mycobacterium chelonae 6 (1.71%), Mycobacterium mucogenicum 6(1.71%), Mycobacterium thermoresistable 4(1.14%), Mycobacterium abscessus 3 (0.85%), Mycobacterium neoaurum 2(0.57%), Mycobacterium smegmatis 2 (0.57%) and M. fortuitum third biovalant complex 3 (0.85%). The mean pH of soil was 7.89 ± 0.379 (max 8.5, min 7.5). Our data showed an abundant occurrence of mycobacteria in low pH (P value = 0001). We also collected 120 water samples from rivers, brooks and drinking water. Water samples decontaminated were by adding cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to give final concentration of 0.05%. Mycobacteria isolated from 12 water samples. The predominant isolated species were M. fortuitum and Mycobacterium cheloni. The majorityisolates were from brooks and surface waters

Glutathione, cell proliferation and differentiation

All organisms require an equivalent source for living. Reduced glutathione is the most abundant thiol containing protein in mammalian cells and organs. Glutathione was discovered by Hopkins in 1924 who published his findings in JBC. It is a three peptide containing glutamic acid, cystein and glycin and is found in reduced and oxide forms in cell. High concentration of glutathione and its high reduced/oxide potential makes GSH a powerful antioxidant and the first defense line against free radicals. However, glutathione is the most efficient tool for detoxification of xenobiotic. In several studies, the effect of GSH on different cell types has been investigated and so, in this study, a review of the glutathione function, focusing on cell proliferation and differentiation would be carried out.Key words: Glutathione, proliferation, differentiatio

Methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: a 2 year experience at a university hospital in Pakistan

In this study we report our two years experience of methotrexate (MTX) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. We studied the clinical course of 124 RA patients. The mean age was 44 +/- 11 years (range 19-72) and mean duration of RA was 5 +/- 4 years (range 0.3-25). Female to male ratio was 10:2.4 (100F:24M). All of them were diagnosed according to the criteria set by American Rheumatism Association. The mean value of ESR was 60 +/- 30 (Range 3-128). Fifty one percent had severe disease (\u3e 10 joints involved and evidence of erosions and deformities). Twenty-one patients had extra-articular manifestations. None of them had received MTX previously. Their kidney and liver functions were assessed to be normal. Patients were divided into two groups. One group (n = 92) received MTX (7.5-10 mg/week) as initial treatment, while the other group (n = 32) was given other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (penicillamine, salazopyrin, gold, or chloroquine) followed by MTX. Assessment of the treatment outcome and development of any adverse reactions was carried out at 3-month interval over an average period of 1 year. Assessment of the treatment outcome in the group which received MTX as initial drug revealed the response to be excellent in 13%, good in 70%, fair in 11% and variable in 4%. In the group which received MTX as second-line of therapy, 59% of the patients had the response from good to excellent, while 25% of the patients exhibited poor to fair response. Regarding side-effects of MTX treatment, 57% exhibited none, while 35% had nausea and vomiting. Alopecia was the next common toxicity in these patients. Two individuals had abnormal liver function tests (value twice more than normal), while one developed lung fibrosis. MTX despite its adverse effects in some of the patients is still an effective, well tolerated and inexpensive disease modifying drug in RA

The results of biplanar distal femoral osteotomy; a case series study

Background: Distal femur wedge osteotomies for varus or valgus alignment of the lower extremity could be done in either uniplanar or biplanar fashion. Union time and stability of the osteotomy site has been considered important in this anatomic region. In this study, clinical and radiographic findings of biplane distal femur osteotomy were reported. Methods: Clinical, functional, and radiological findings of eight patients (10 knees) underwent biplane distal femur osteotomy were evaluated. Visual analogue score (VAS) and Lysholm-Tegner knee score were used for the assessment of pain and function before and three months after surgery. Results: In this study, eight patients were included. All patients were female. The mean age was 28±6.3. The mean pre-operative mechanical angle was 8.7±2.2° and the post-operative angle was 1.4±0.53° in patients with valgus alignment whileit was 7.0±1.0°preoperatively and 0.66±1.2° postoperatively in patients with varus alignment. The mean lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) was 85±8.0° before surgery and was 88±1.3° after surgery. According to Lysholm-Tegner knee score, in the post-operative visit, six knees were good and four were excellent. The mean union time was 9.2±2.3 weeks. Conclusions: Biplane distal femur osteotomy is a reliable technique that creates larger surfaces and more stability at the osteotomy site with further rapid union. © 2015 BY THE ARCHIVES OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in renal transplant and hemodialysis patients

Transplanted and hemodialysis patients are frequently affected by parasitic diseases such as cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is a parasite causing self-limited diarrhea and enteritis in healthy individuals. The presence of Cryptosporidium infection was studied in three groups including 87 renal transplant patients, 103 hemodialysis patients, and 60 healthy individuals as the control group. Two stool specimens were obtained from each case. The specimens were concentrated by the formalin-ether method and two smears were prepared from each. The smears were stained by modified acid-fast method and were observed under a light microscope. Ten (11.5) renal transplant and 4 (3.88) hemodialysis patients were positive for Cryptosporidium infection. No positive results were obtained in the control group. The results showed a statistically significant difference between renal transplant and control groups (P=0.02), but the difference between hemodialysis and control groups was not significant (P=0.2). The results also showed that the rate of Cryptosporidium infection in renal transplant patients was much higher than hemodialysis patients. The susceptibility of renal transplant patients to Cryptosporidium infection is much more than other studied groups and this could be due to immunosuppressive therapy in these patients

Effect of age on reproductive performance in female Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspious, Kessler 1877)

Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) is one of the economically valuable species in the Caspian Sea.Artificial propagation and production of larvae are the main problems in the early culture of this species.The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of reproductive performance of female broods on opposition reproduction efficiency in Caspian brown trout in the breeding season of 2009. Three groups of female broods (4, 5 and 6 years old) were fertilized with 9 male fish individually. The results showed that,6 year old females have maximum body weight (2150.0 ± 86.6 g), total length (59±2 cm), eggs weight (255.0 ± 30.51 g), egg size (5.37 ± 0.058 mm) and absolute fecundity rate (3060 ± 366.15), while highest average number of ovules in each gram of body weight (16.33 ± 0.58) and relative fecundity (2.08 ± 0.12) belonged to 4 years old females. There were significant differences in mean fertilization rate and survival rate until absorption of yolk sack stage (p<0.05) among the treatments studied. The present study showed that the eggs produced from fertilization of 6 year old female eggs and male mixed milt showed maximum average fertilization percentage (97.5 %), survival rate until eyed stage (92%), hatching percentage (93%), and survival rate until absorption of yolk sack (94.5%)

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) as a Prognostic Marker: an Immunohistochemical Study on 315 Consecutive Breast Carcinoma Patients

Objective: To assess the independent and interdependent prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in carcinoma of breast in female population. The Type I family of growth factor receptors includes epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR also known as EGFRI). Methods: The expression of EGFR protein was analysed immunohistochemically on 315 tumour specimens of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast. These patients also had axillary lymph nodes sampling. Results: Overexpression and/or amplification of EGFR was observed in 70 (22.00%) tumours. Eleven (16%) were grade I, 43 (61%) grade II and 16 (23%) grade Ill tumours. Axillary lymph node metastasis had significant correlation with intensified positivity of EGFR (p\u3c 0.05). Significant number of EGFR positive patients developed local recurrence and distant metastases to brain, liver and bone (p\u3c 0.05). EGFR positivity showed significant correlation with the disease free and overall survival (p\u3c 0.05). At a median follow-up of48 (4 years) months in EGFR positive patients, the overall survival was 3.39 years and disease free survival was 2.86 years. EGFR negative tumour patients showed a better survival. In this group the overall survival was 4.62 years and the disease free survival was 4 years. Conclusion: EGFR analysis can be a useful indicator for the selection of patients who are at the high risk, for hormonal therapy decisions and can be useful as a target for new treatment modalities

Prevalence of and factors associated with anxiety and depression among women in a lower middle class semi-urban community of Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To study the prevalence of, and factors associated with anxiety and depression among women.Design: A cross sectional survey.SETTING: A lower middle class semi-urban community of Karachi, Pakistan.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1218 women between the ages of 18-50 years.METHODOLOGY: Systematically every third household was identified from which a woman was randomly selected. The Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale and a socio-demographic questionnaire were administered verbally by trained interviewers for assessing the prevalence of, and associated factors for anxiety and depression.Results: A prevalence of 30% was found. Increasing age, lack of education and verbal abuse were the associated factors found to have an independent relationship.CONCLUSION: Providing education and reducing domestic abuse could lead to decrease in the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women

Relationship among sera lipoprotein abnormalities in healthy individuals with background of diabetic sibling

As the prevalence of lipoprotein abnormalities in adolescents is increasing dramatically, the identification of relevant risk factors is a major public health challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a family history of diabetes could be a risk factor for lipid abnormalities in healthy individuals. This study is a cross-sectional case control study. 179 men and women were studied in two equal-member groups (with diabetic parents' background and without any diabetic sibling). Both groups matched in body mass index (BMI), age and sex. The serum concentration of oxidized-low density lipoprotein (LDL), Apo B100 and insulin were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay technique and TG, Chol, HDL-C, FBS and GTT by enzymatic methods. The LDL-C level was calculated using the Friedewald formula. The results show that there were no significant variation in the amount of plasma FBS, GTT, Cho, TG, LDL and HDL between the two groups, whereas a significant increase was found in the amount of insulin (P = 0.02), Apo B100 (P = 0.001), OX-LDL (P = 0.001) and HOMA-IR (P = 0.03) in the case group as compared to the control group. We conclude that a family history of diabetic parents can lead to lipid parameters abnormalities and CVD risk factor via aggregation of inherited defected genes.Key words: Diabetes, oxidized-low density lipoprotein (LDL), Apo B100, lipoproteins

Acne in traditional persian medicine

Background: Acne Vulgaris is a common skin condition in 35-90 of youth. Although traditional methods of treating acne in Iran seem to be common and high demand, a few studies about this issue have been accomplished. This study aimed to find out how much definitions and recommendations about this condition in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) are similar to contemporary medicine. Methods: Seven main reference books from TPM were selected. The equivalents of acne in TPM were found and comparison of the definitions and recommendations of TPM and CM were extracted. Two diseases called Namlah and Bosoor-Labanieh were most similar to acne. These keywords were searched in TPM Books by using �Noor software�. Results: In TPM references, two diseases of �Namlah� and �Bosoor-Labanieh� are very similar to acne. The cause of these diseases in TPM textbooks has been explained as the effort of the body for the disposal of wastes through the skin and accumulation of them below it. The treatments are lifestyle modification, drug therapy, and manual interventions. Conclusion: Interventions of TPM have been experienced by Iranian physicians of the Old Testament over hundreds of years. There are meaningful similarities among TPM texts in descriptions and advice. In addition, there are remarkable similarities in the disease characteristics and some of the recommendations for acne in TPM and CM. The effectiveness and cost-benefit of the recommended TPM therapeutics and methods can be considered and evaluated as hypotheses for the case and group studies and clinical trials. © 2020, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved