The Relationship between Serum Zinc Level and Liver Elastrography Using Fibroscan in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Zinc is one of the essential elements for many vital functions of the body, including regulation of gene expression, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, protein and nucleic acids metabolism. Since, many people develop advanced liver disease, including liver cirrhosis, they have zinc deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between liver stiffness and serum zinc levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Patients referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz in 1395. Serum zinc levels and liver Stiffness (based on METAVIR scale) were measured by fibroscan, and Age, sex, serum zinc level and liver fibroscan were recorded. Serum zinc level at different ages and scores of Liver stiffness was compared and analyzed. FINDINGS: This study was conducted on 40 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The number of men was 26 patients (65%). Mean age of patients was 45.077±9.4 years, mean serum zinc level was 81.4±8.1 and mean liver stiffness was 6.5±2.1 kPa. Serum zinc level had a reverse and strong correlation with liver stiffness (p=0.0001, r=0.9). Also, with age increasing, liver stiffness increased (p=0.01, r=0.5) and serum zinc level decreased (p=0.01, r=0.5). CONCLUSION: According to findings of the present study, the serum zinc level significantly decreased with fibrosis progression in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver

Injection Drug Use Is a Risk Factor for HCV Infection in Urban Egypt

OBJECTIVE: To identify current risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in Greater Cairo. DESIGN AND SETTING: A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted comparing incident acute symptomatic hepatitis C patients in two "fever" hospitals of Greater Cairo with two control groups: household members of the cases and acute hepatitis A patients diagnosed at the same hospitals. Controls were matched on the same age and sex to cases and were all anti-HCV antibody negative. Iatrogenic, community and household exposures to HCV in the one to six months before symptoms onset for cases, and date of interview for controls, were exhaustively assessed. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2007, 94 definite acute symptomatic HCV cases and 188 controls were enrolled in the study. In multivariate analysis, intravenous injections (OR = 5.0; 95% CI = 1.2-20.2), medical stitches (OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.6-11.3), injection drug use (IDU) (OR = 7.9; 95% CI = 1.4-43.5), recent marriage (OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.1-9.9) and illiteracy (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.8-8.5) were independently associated with an increased HCV risk. CONCLUSION: In urban Cairo, invasive health care procedures remain a source of HCV transmission and IDU is an emerging risk factor. Strict application of standard precautions during health care is a priority. Implementation of comprehensive infection prevention programs for IDU should be considered

Intraurban influences on physician colorectal cancer screening practices.

BackgroundCommunity social and economic resources influence colorectal (CRC) screening decisions by physicians and patients. The aim of this study is to systematically assess the differences in screening recommendations of primary care physicians within two urban communities that are distinct in socioeconomic characteristics.MethodsTwo-hundred-sixty-four primary care community (i.e., not hospital-based) physicians were stratified by community. Using self-report questionnaires, we examined primary care physicians' CRC screening practices, knowledge of risk factors and perceived physician and patient barriers to screening, Physicians practicing in upper-socioeconomic status (SES) communities were compared with those of participants practicing in lower SES communities.ResultsPhysicians practicing in low-SES urban communities were significantly more likely to screen with fecal occult blood test than were physicians in upper-SES areas. Alternatively, upper-SES physicians were significantly more likely to recommend screening colonoscopy than were lower-SES physicians. The number of physicians (N=11) who screened for CRC using the double-contrast barium enema were few.ConclusionsCommunity-level SES influences physician cancer screening practices. Further understanding of these relationships may guide the development of interventions targeted to specific neighborhoods within urban areas

Intraurban influences on physician colorectal cancer screening practices.

BACKGROUND: Community social and economic resources influence colorectal (CRC) screening decisions by physicians and patients. The aim of this study is to systematically assess the differences in screening recommendations of primary care physicians within two urban communities that are distinct in socioeconomic characteristics. METHODS: Two-hundred-sixty-four primary care community (i.e., not hospital-based) physicians were stratified by community. Using self-report questionnaires, we examined primary care physicians' CRC screening practices, knowledge of risk factors and perceived physician and patient barriers to screening, Physicians practicing in upper-socioeconomic status (SES) communities were compared with those of participants practicing in lower SES communities. RESULTS: Physicians practicing in low-SES urban communities were significantly more likely to screen with fecal occult blood test than were physicians in upper-SES areas. Alternatively, upper-SES physicians were significantly more likely to recommend screening colonoscopy than were lower-SES physicians. The number of physicians (N=11) who screened for CRC using the double-contrast barium enema were few. CONCLUSIONS: Community-level SES influences physician cancer screening practices. Further understanding of these relationships may guide the development of interventions targeted to specific neighborhoods within urban areas

Evaluation of Wound Dressing Made From Spider Silk Protein Using in a Rabbit Model

The aim of the present article was to study the healing of wounds using spider silk. Eight New Zealand female rabbits were selected as animal model. First, 3 identical wounds with length of 15 mm and a depth of 4 mm on the back of each rabbit were created. The first group, as standard control, did not receive any special treatment, they were treated only with saline and Vaseline locally. The second group, as positive control, received a thin film of phenytoin 1% ointment locally. The third group, as treated group, received a thin film of spider silk protein. At the end of the study, a biopsy of skin was done. After tissue preparation, all sections were evaluated. Some morphometrical parameters such as counting cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, determination of the area of the wound closure, necrotic tissue, speed of wound healing, and epidermal thickness were done, and for data statistical analysis, SPSS software and Excel software were used. The results of this study showed that spider silk dressing may benefit as a possible effect of nanoparticles in the test preparation in wound healin