Scintigraphy with 99mTc(V)-DMSA in monitoring patients with inflammatory bowel disease

The clinical significance of pentavalent technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc(V)-DMSA) scintigraphy in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this prospective paper was to study the above. This study included 54 patients, 22 females and 32 males (mean age: 36.68±11.49; range: 18-63 years) with IBD who came to our clinics for follow-up and were examined clinically by colonoscopy and 99mTc(V)-DMSA scintigraphy. On the follow-up studies, five patients (9.25%) relapsed, and 49 (90.74%) remained at a steady condition. There was a good correlation between the scintigraphic results and the clinical and colonoscopy data of the patients (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicated that 99mTc(V)DMSA scintigraphy can be complementary to colonoscopy for the diagnostic evaluation of IBD

Identification of a single nucleotide polymorphism of the pituitary-specific transcriptional factor 1 (Pit 1) gene and its association with body composition trait in Iranian commercial broiler line

Pit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcriptional factor that has been shown to play a critical role both in cell differentiation during organogenesis of the anterior pituitary and as a transcriptional activator for pituitary gene transcription. This study was designed to investigate the associations of Pit-1 gene polymorphism on chicken body growth and body composition traits. Genomic DNA was extracted from 120 chickens from Iranian commercial broiler line. Two polymorphisms of the Pit-1 gene were found with restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The association between these polymorphisms with chicken growth and body composition traits were analyzed using single marker analysis. Polymorphisms in Pit-1 gene were significantly (P<0.1) associated with body growth and body composition traits. This study suggests that Pit-1 gene could be a candidate locus or linked to major gene(s) that affects growth and body composition traits in the chicken.Key words: Iranian broiler lines, growth and body composition traits, pituitary-specific transcription factor gene (Pit 1), polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Association between single nucleotide polymorphism of apoVLDL-II gene with growth and body composition traits in Iranian commercial broiler line

Very low density apolipoprotein-II (apoVLDL-II) is a major polypeptide component of avian VLDL. The function of apoVLDL-II is the transport of neutral lipids (triacylglycerol) in the form of VLDL in the plasma. The apoVLDLII gene is dormant in embryos, chicks and roosters but can be activated by estrogen. The current study was designed to investigate the association of an apoVLDL-II gene polymorphism on chicken growth and body composition traits. Genomic DNAs were extracted from 400chickens from four different commercial broiler lines. Genotyping for the apoVLDL-II gene by using PCR-RFLP method and SfcI restriction endonuclease showed a mutation in 492-bp fragment located on the first intron. Polymorphism in apoVLDL-II gene was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with body weight at 6 week (BW6), carcass weight (CW), breast muscle weight (BMW), drumstick weight (DW) and wing weight (WINW). No significant difference was observed in the back weight (BAKW) and abdominal fat weight (AFW). This research suggests that apoVLDL-II gene could be a candidate gene that can affect some growth traits in chickens

Association of transforming growth factor-ß3 gene polymorphism with growth and body composition traits in Iranian commercial broiler lines

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) polypeptides are members of a large superfamily of growth and differentiation factors that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of a great variety of cell types. The current study was designed to investigate the associations of TGF-β3 gene polymorphism on chicken growth and body composition traits. Genomic DNAs were extracted from 400 chickens from four different commercial broiler lines. Genotyping for the TGF-β3 gene using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and BslI restriction endonuclease showed a mutation in 294-bp fragment located on the fourth intron of chromosome 5. Polymorphism in TGF-β3 gene was significantly (P < 0.1) associated with breast muscle weight (BMW), abdominal fat weight (AFW), wing weight (WINW), percentage of carcass weight (%CW), percentage of drumstick weight (%DW), percentage of breast muscle weight (%BMW), percentage of back weight (%BAKWT) and percentage of wing weight (%WINW). This research suggests that TGF-β3 gene could be a candidate gene that can affect some body composition traits in chicken.Key words: Broiler lines, body composition traits, transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3), PCR-RFLP

Impact of Ramadan fasting on intraocular pressure, visual acuity and refractive errors

Introduction: Fasting evidently influences a variety of physiological parameters that can impact the ocular system. Among these modifications are alterations in insulin secretion, sympathetic activity, free fatty acids, lipid profile, melatonin, cortisol, electrolytes and catecholamines. In this study, we investigated the possible alterations in intraocular pressure (10P), visual acuity and refractive errors during Ramadan fasting. Methods: 10P, visual acuity and refractive errors of both eyes of volunteers were measured on the first and last days of Ramadan (once in the morning and evening). Body weight was measured so as to estimate the amount of dehydration. Data from the two examinations was analysed using one-way analysis of variance. A p -value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 58 healthy, fasting male volunteers with a mean age of 40.7 +/- 7.1 years participated in the study. Statistical analysis demonstrated no difference in 10P, visual acuity or refractive errors on the first and last days of Ramadan, or within a single day (from morning to evening). Conclusion: Our results reveal that Islamic Ramadan fasting does not profoundly affect physiological 10P, refractive error or visual acuity values in healthy volunteers. However, more detailed investigations using animal models should be designed to evaluate whether fasting has a pivotal influence on pathological conditions. Keywords: body weight, intraocular pressure, Ramadan fasting, refractive errors, visual acuit

Scintigraphic parameters with emphasis on perfusion appraisal in rest 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT in the recovery of myocardial function after thrombolytic therapy in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Introduction: This study was performed to determine the clinical application of rest 99mTc-sestamibi in the assessment of viability and functional improvement of the left ventricle (LV) myocardium in the post-thrombolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Material and methods: In 37 patients with AMI who received thrombolytic therapy, 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography, as well as the resting redistribution of 99mTc-sestamibi, was investigated, both within 1 week and 3-5 months after AMI. The predictive capacity of the perfusion percentage for myocardial function recovery was evaluated. Also, the capacities of the possible variables in the prediction of recovery of myocardial function resulting from a change in LV ejection fraction (EF) were evaluated using stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: Thirty-seven patients (30 men and 7 women; mean age: 58±14 years) with AMI were enrolled in the study. Redistribution was observed in 35 and 50 segments of the initial and follow-up scans, respectively. In addition, 146 segments with reverse redistribution (RR), both in the initial scan (118 segments) and the follow-up scan (86 segments), were also observed. An apparent difference in wall motion scores was seen between the initial and follow-up echocardiographs (p<0.001). Furthermore, using the optimal cut-off point of perfusion percentage in each image set, sensitivity as well as specificity and likelihood ratio (LR) for the improvement of regional wall motion after 3-5 months were defined. Conclusion: These data showed that redistribution and reverse redistribution of 99mTc-sestamibi post thrombolytic therapy can be used as a marker of viability to predict the recovery of segmental wall motion abnormality (stunning), as well as the improvement of segmental perfusion uptake. This study also demonstrates that the resting 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT can be used for an approximate assessment of LV function status and can predict the recovery of jeopardized myocardium function after thrombolytic therapy. © 2011 SAGE Publications

Correlation of Circulating Omentin-1 with Bone Mineral Density in Multiple Sclerosis: The Crosstalk between Bone and Adipose Tissue

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Adipose tissue-derived adipokines may play important roles in the osteoimmunology of MS. In order to determine whether omentin-1 and vaspin may be related to bone health in MS patients, we compared circulating levels of these recently identified adipokines, between MS patients and healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 35 ambulatory MS patients with relapsing-remitting courses were compared with 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Circulating omentin-1, vaspin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, matrix metalloproteinase 9, C-reactive protein and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were evaluated by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding bone-related cytokines, adipocytokines, and the BMD measurements of patients with MS and the healthy controls. However, in multiple regression analysis, serum omentin-1 levels were positively correlated with BMD at the femoral neck (β = 0.49, p = 0.016), total hip (β = 0.42, p = 0.035), osteopontin (β = 0.42, p = 0.030) and osteocalcin (β = 0.53, p = 0.004) in MS patients. No correlations were found between vaspin, biochemical, and BMD measures in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated omentin-1 serum levels are correlated with BMD at the femoral neck and the serum levels of osteocalcin and osteopontin in MS patients. Therefore, there is crosstalk between adipose tissue and bone in MS

Importance of rostral ventrolateral medulla neurons in determining efferent sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure

Accentuated sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) is a risk factor for cardiovascular events. In this review, we investigate our working hypothesis that potentiated activity of neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is the primary cause of experimental and essential hypertension. Over the past decade, we have examined how RVLM neurons regulate peripheral SNA, how the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems are correlated and how the sympathetic system can be suppressed to prevent cardiovascular events in patients. Based on results of whole-cell patch-clamp studies, we report that angiotensin II (Ang II) potentiated the activity of RVLM neurons, a sympathetic nervous center, whereas Ang II receptor blocker (ARB) reduced RVLM activities. Our optical imaging demonstrated that a longitudinal rostrocaudal column, including the RVLM and the caudal end of ventrolateral medulla, acts as a sympathetic center. By organizing and analyzing these data, we hope to develop therapies for reducing SNA in our patients. Recently, 2-year depressor effects were obtained by a single procedure of renal nerve ablation in patients with essential hypertension. The ablation injured not only the efferent renal sympathetic nerves but also the afferent renal nerves and led to reduced activities of the hypothalamus, RVLM neurons and efferent systemic sympathetic nerves. These clinical results stress the importance of the RVLM neurons in blood pressure regulation. We expect renal nerve ablation to be an effective treatment for congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease, such as diabetic nephropathy