Comparison of oral prednisolone pulse therapy with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in severe alopecia areata

Objective: To compare the efficacy of oral prednisolone pulse therapy in comparison to the intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in treatment of severe alopecia areata. Patients and methods: In this interventional study, all patients with alopecia areata having at least 30% involvement of scalp or more than 10 patches of alopecia in scalp and body, registered during 2006-2009 in dermatologic department of 5-Azar hospital, Gorgan, Northeast of Iran were included. Forty patients with severe alopecia areata were enrolled and divided into 2 groups. Group A was treated with 200 mg oral prednisolone in one dose, every week for 3 months and group B were treated with 500 mg intravenous methylprednisolone on 3 continuous days each month for 6 months. Results: Recovery rate after 1, 3, 6 and 12th months after treatment was significantly higher in group B compared to group A. Side effects included: acne (5 in group A and 7 in group B), heartburn (4 in group A and 5 in B), striae (4 in group A and 6 in group B) and were more seen in group B but it was not significant statistically. The recovery and rate was not significantly different between two sexes. Conclusion: In this study, 500 mg intravenous methylprednisolone in 3 continuous days each month for 6 months showed a better recovery rate in severe alopecia areata. Patients must be warned about the side effects and outcomes

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Turkmen ethnic groups in Gorgan

Introduction: It has been estimated that the metabolic syndrome may predict cardiovascular disease and the occurrence of sudden death, independent of the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the metabolic syndrome among Turkmen women in this area. Material and Methods: The present study consisted of 160 Turkmen women. Baseline data and prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the components of metabolic syndrome in Turkmen women were determined. Observations and Results: The prevalence of high levels of fasting glucose, low levels of high density lipoproteincholesterol, high triglyceride levels, high waist circumference and high blood pressure were shown to be 29.37%, 70.62%, 35.62%, 75% and 26.25%, respectively. It was shown that high waist circumference (75%) and Low HDL-cholesterol levels (70.62%) were the most frequent characteristics in comparison to other metabolic components. The prevalence of high waist circumference, high triglyceride levels, high levels of fasting glucose, high blood pressure and BMIs which were ≥25 were higher in subjects with metabolic syndrome (92.85%, 73.21%, 73.21%, 57.14% and 83.92%, respectively). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is more prevalent among Turkmen women. Our data has shown that the prevalence of abnormal waist circumference in this ethnic group was highest. The waist circumference can be used as a predictor for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease

Comparison of glycemic excursion in patients with new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus before and after treatment with repaglinide

Due to industrialization and sedentary life, incidence of type 2 diabetes (DM2) is increasing seriously. Repaglinide is a glucose reducing agent that predominantly reduces post-prandial glucose. Continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) monitors blood glucose excursions over a 3-day period. CGMS can be used as a therapeutic and diagnostic instrument in diabetics. There are not enough studies about using CGMS in DM2. The aim of this study was to determine the blood glucose excursions in patients with new onset of DM2. 10 patients with new onset of DM2 were entered to this study. As the first therapeutic management, patients received diabetic diet and moderate exercise for 3-weeks, if they did not achieve blood glucose goal (Fasting blood glucoser (FBG) <120mg/dl, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hpp) <180mg/dl), were considered to undergo 3-days CGMS at baseline and after 4-weeks on Repaglinide (0.5mg three times before meals). Mean excursions of blood glucose were not different at the onset and at the end of treatment (6±4.05 VS 7.6±5.2 episodes, P=0.49). There were also no significant differences between mean duration of hypoglycemic episodes (zero VS 5.1±14.1 hours, P =0.28) and hyperglycemic episodes before and after therapy (7.6±5.2 VS 5.7±4.1, P=0.42), but mean hyperglycemia duration was significantly reduced at the end of therapy (21±26.17 VS 57.7±35.3, P=0.001). Patients experienced a mean of 0.3±0.67 episodes of hypoglycemia after therapy showed no significant difference before it (P =0.19). Mean FBG (with CGMS) was significantly lower after therapy than before it (142.9±54.31 VS 222.9±82.6, P <0.001). This study showed the usefulness of CGMS not only as a diagnostic but also as an educational and therapeutic tool that in combination with Repaglinide (with the lowest effective dose and duration) can significantly reduce FBG and glycemic excursions in DM2 patients and hypoglycemic events are low. © Hezarkhani et al

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Fars ethnic women in North East of Iran

The metabolic syndrome is described by the clustering of several risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess the metabolic syndrome among Fars ethnic women in Gorgan, Capital City of Golestan province, North East of Iran. The study conducted on the hundred and sixty Fars women (20- 40years) who were referred to the Health Centers in Gorgan. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III) guidelines. The mean triglyceride, total cholesterol, waist circumferences and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly higher in the subjects with metabolic syndrome, but the mean HDL-cholesterol was lower (p< 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 20.62%. High abdominal obesity and low HDL-cholesterol level are the most frequent characteristics in comparison to other metabolic components. According to our results, 13.75%, 5.62%and 1.25% had three, four and five criteria for metabolic syndrome, respectively. Low HDL-cholesterol and high waist circumference were the most usual factors of metabolic abnormality among women. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases might be increased. We have shown some related factors of metabolic syndrome in these women to predict metabolic syndrome in these ethnic groups and help to prevent cardiovascular disease. © IDOSI Publications, 2012

Agr typing of Staphylococcus aureus species isolated from clinical samples in training hospitals of Isfahan and Shahrekord

OBJECTIVE: As an opportunistic pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus is associated with serious nosocomial infections and growing antimicrobial resistance against beta-lactams among S. aureus strains has become a global challenge. The current study was designed to investigate the presence of agr genes among S. aureus strains recovered from clinical samples in university hospitals of Isfahan and Shahrekord. RESULTS: A total of 150 S. aureus isolates were screened by Disk diffusion method (DDM) and conventional PCR. The minimum (17.3%) and maximum (46%) antibiotic resistance rates were found in vancomycin and cefoxitin, respectively. The majority of our isolates were classified as agr type I followed by type II, type IV, and type III. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between agr type I and antibiotic resistance against cefoxitin and erythromycin (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively). Based on our findings, the agr typing could be considered an effective approach for molecular tracking of S. aureus infections

THE CHANGING TREND OF MORTALITY CAUSED BY GASTROINTESTINAL CANCERS IN IRAN DURING THE YEARS 2006-2010

BACKGROUND: Cancers are one of the most important causes of death in the world. According to their high incidence and mortality, gastrointestinal cancers have particular importance among other cancers. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the mortality change trends of gastrointestinal cancers in Iran. METHODS: This study was performed by analyzing the reported mortality data in 29 provinces of Iran in 2006-2010. Mortality trend of gastrointestinal cancers was drawn for both sexes in the study years and disaggregated by age groups and their frequency distribution. The WinPepi software was used for analysis. RESULTS: In the years 2006-2010, the mortality rate of, gastric, colorectal, liver and pancreatic cancers, has significantly increased. Totally, gastrointestinal mortality is higher in men than women. Also, the results showed that by increasing age, death from these cancers also increased. CONCLUSION: The most important causes of death from gastrointestinal cancers were gastric, liver and colorectal cancers in Iran and because of their increasing trend in the country, performing preventive interventions for the cancers' risk factors is necessary

Prevalence and distribution of adhesins and the expression of fibronectin-binding protein (FnbA and FnbB) among Staphylococcus aureus isolates from Shahrekord Hospitals

OBJECTIVE: One of the most important causes of nosocomial infections is Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of these genes and the rate of expression of these genes during nasal colonization among the personnel of Kashani and Hajar hospitals. RESULTS: In this Analytical-descriptive study, 240 nasal swab specimens were collected from personnel of different departments of Kashani and Hajar hospitals in Shahr-e-kord. Nasal specimens were cultured and 110 Staphylococcus strains were isolated. Based on the results, 110 carriers of Staphylococcus aureus were identified. The frequency of clfA, clfB, fnbA and fnbB genes were 36.3%, 86.3%, 7.2% and 43.6% respectively. It was also observed that the fnbA gene showed no expression, but of 95 clfB-positive samples, 73 isolates (76.8%) were expressed clfB gene. This study showed that the abundance of these genes varies in nasal colonization. It was also observed that clfB gene with a high frequency and high expression rate has an important role in nose colonization. These results not only provide insight into the factors involved in S. aureus colonization but also provide potential therapeutic target

Worldwide prevalence, genotype distribution and management of hepatitis C

epatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting in major global public health concerns. The HCV infection is unevenly distributed worldwide, with variations in prevalence across and within countries. The studies on molecular epidemiology conducted in several countries provide an essential supplement for a comprehensive knowledge of HCV epidemiology, genotypes, and subtypes, along with providing information on the impact of current and earlier migratory flows. HCV is phylogenetically classified into 8 major genotypes and 57 subtypes. HCV genotype and subtype distribution differ according to geographic origin and transmission risk category. Unless people with HCV infection are detected and treated appropriately, the number of deaths due to the disease will continue to increase. In 2015, 1.75 million new viral infections were mostly due to unsafe healthcare procedures and drug use injections. In the same year, access to direct-acting antivirals was challenging and varied in developing and developed countries, affecting HCV cure rates based on their availability. The World Health Assembly, in 2016, approved a global strategy to achieve the elimination of the HCV public health threat by 2030 (by reducing new infections by 90% and deaths by 65%). Globally, countries are implementing policies and measures to eliminate HCV risk based on their distribution of genotypes and prevalence

Perpustakaan Universiti Sains Malaysia dan kesejahteraan sosial: apa peranan kami?

Kerja komuniti merupakan satu proses menghasilkan dan mengekalkan penyesuaian di antara sumber-sumber kebajikan sosial dan keperluan kebajikan sosial di dalam satu kawasan geografi atau bidang perkhidmatan yang khusus. Universiti Sains Malaysia sebagai sebuah universiti perintis berusaha untuk memperkasakan dan menonjolkan bakat masa hadapan dan mengupayakan golongan terkebawah demi mentransformasi kesejahteraan sosioekonomi ke arah perkembangan minda dan perluasan ilmu bagi peningkatan taraf pendidikan seluruh lapisan masyarakat. Perpustakaan Universiti Sains Malaysia (PUSM) sebagai gedung ilmu memainkan peranan yang amat penting dalam merealisasikan kesejahteraan sosial dalam masyarakat. Pembudayaan membaca sebagai satu mekanisme utama untuk meningkatkan ilmu amat sinonim dengan perpustakaan