Effect of rosuvastatin on dyslipidemia and other parameters associated with metabolic syndrome in Saudi patients.

CONTEXT: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of metabolic irregularities consisting of dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, chronic inflammatory, and hypercoagulable state predisposing to diabetes and cardiovascular events. Statins are first-line drugs to treat the associated atherogenic dyslipidemia. AIM: Effect of rosuvastatin on MS in Saudi patients was studied. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective, open label, randomized clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients of either sex ≥18 years (n = 153) having MS as per modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were prescribed rosuvastatin 10 mg OD for 24 weeks. Serum lipids, biochemical, clinical, and anthropometric parameters were studied before and after treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical Package for Social Sciences version17 was used. Descriptive analysis was used for all variables and documented as mean ± SD. Normality checked by Shapiro-Wilk test, Kurtosis and Skewness Z-score, and visualization of histograms. Lipid levels and other parameters before and after treatment were evaluated by paired t-test for parametric data and Wilcoxon signed rank test for nonparametric data. Pre- and post-test values were correlated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multiple regression analysis was performed to see effect of other variables. RESULTS: Highly significant reduction was observed in low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides; very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherosclerotic index with an elevation in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. A total of 86% patients reached low density lipoprotein cholesterol goal of ≤ 100 mg/dL. Beneficial response was observed on other associated parameters. There was strong correlation between pre- and post values. No significant effect was observed for any of the variables on cholesterol reduction. No serious/severe adverse effect was observed. CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin markedly improved atherogenic dyslipidemia of MS.

Thearubigins protect against acetaminophen-induced hepatic and renal injury in mice: biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometry study.

CONTEXT: Acetaminophen toxicity is used as a model for studying chemical toxicity. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is used for the treatment of hepatotoxicity; however, there is no specific therapy for nephrotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of black tea extract (BTE) and its main phenolic pigment, thearubigins (TRs), against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic and renal injury in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Besides control groups, six groups (n = 8) were given intraperitoneally APAP (300 mg/kg) and then after 1.5 hours were treated intraperitoneally as follows: NAC (318 mg/kg), BTE (3%, 4.5%), and TRs (50, 60, and 70 mg/kg). Six hours post-APAP injection, blood was collected for biochemical measurements. Later, liver and kidneys were removed for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometry studies. RESULTS: APAP increased alanine aminotransferase and malondialdehyde and decreased glutathione levels in blood. Treatments significantly reversed these changes mostly with NAC and TRs70. TRs showed dose-dependent significant differences. The APAP-induced central lobular hepatic necrosis and increased TUNEL positivity were mild with co-administration of NAC and TRs (60, 70) while moderate with co-administration of BTE (3, 4.5) and TRs50. The APAP-increased serum creatinine level was significantly reversed by treatments (mostly TRs60, 70). The APAP-induced renal tubular epithelial degeneration and necrosis were mild with co-administration of TRs (60, 70) while moderate with co-administration of NAC, BTE (3, 4.5), and TRs50. The APAP-accumulated apoptotic cells in sub-G1 phase were significantly decreased by treatments, mostly by NAC and TRs70 in the liver and TRs (60, 70) in kidneys. CONCLUSION: Thearubigins protected against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice possibly through their antioxidant activity.

Framework tool for a rapid cumulative effects assessment: case of a prominent wetland in Myanmar.

The wetland of focus, Inle Lake, located in central Myanmar, is well known for its unique biodiversity and culture, as well as for ingenious floating garden agriculture. During the last decades, the lake area has seen extensive degradation in terms of water quality, erosion, deforestation, and biodiversity concomitant with a major shift to unsustainable land use. The study was conducted, with an emphasis on water quality, to analyze environmental impacts (effects) changing the ecosystem and to comprehensively evaluate the environmental state of the ecosystem through an innovative Rapid Cumulative Effects Assessment framework tool. The assessment started with a framework-forming Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), which quantified and prioritized impacts over space and time. Critically important impacts were assessed for "intra-inter interactions" using the loop analysis simulation. Water samples were analyzed while geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing were used to identify water pollution hotspots. It was concluded that out of a plethora of impacts, pollution from municipal sources, sedimentation, and effects exerted by floating gardens had the most detrimental impacts, which cumulatively affected the entire ecosystem. The framework tool was designed in a broad sense with a reference to highly needed assessments of poorly studied wetlands where degradation is evident, but scarcely quantified, and where long-term field studies are fraught with security issues and resource unavailability (post-conflict, poor and remote regions, e.g., Afghanistan, Laos, Sudan, etc.).

Urinary CXCL10: a marker of nephritis in lupus patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease characterized by the formation of autoantibodies and immune complexes. Lupus nephritis is one of the hallmark features of SLE. CXCL10 is a chemokine secreted by IFNg- stimulated endothelial cells and has been shown to be involved in the pathological processes of autoimmune diseases. The objective was to measure urinary CXCL10 in SLE patients, to compare levels between nephritis and non-nephritis groups and to study its correlation with other variables. Sixty lupus patients were enrolled in our trial. Thirty patients had lupus nephritis and the other 30 were without evidence of lupus nephritis. Thirty healthy subjects were willing to participate as a healthy control group. Renal biopsy was performed for lupus nephritis group. Urinary CXCL10 was measured using the ELISA technique. Serum creatinine, C3, C4 and 24 h urinary proteins were measured. Lupus activity was assessed using systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) scoring system. Renal activity was measured using renal activity scoring system. CXCL10 was significantly higher in lupus nephritis patients than in lupus patients without nephritis. CXCL10 was significantly correlated with renal activity score, 24 hours urinary proteins and the SLEDAI score. It is highly valid predictor of SLE nephritis with high sensitivity and specificity. CXCL 10 a highly sensitive and specific non-invasive diagnostic tool for lupus nephritis patients.

The Efficacy of Medical Interventions for Free-Floating Thrombus in Cerebrovascular Events: A Systematic Review.

Although free-floating thrombus (FFT) poses a significant risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), optimal management strategies are uncertain. To determine the state-of-the-art of medical interventions for FFT, we conducted a systematic review of the efficacy of various medical interventions and factors influencing FFT resolution and recurrence. A comprehensive search of Embase, PubMed, and ScienceDirect identified 61 studies encompassing 179 patients with FFT-related stroke or TIA treated with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, or their combinations. Primary outcomes assessed were stroke recurrence and thrombus resolution. Statistical analyses (Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and Kruskal-Wallis test) utilized significance set at p < 0.05. Over a median follow-up of 7 months, thrombus resolution occurred in 65% of patients, while 11.2% experienced recurrence, primarily as TIAs. Cardioembolism was significantly less common in resolved cases (p = 0.025). Combination therapy (antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and statins) significantly enhanced clot resolution (OR 11.4; 95% CI 1.436-91.91; p = 0.021) compared to monotherapies. Ulcerated plaque was a significant predictor of recurrence (OR 8.2; 95% CI 1.02-66.07; p = 0.048). These findings underscore the superiority of combination therapy in FFT management and highlight the need for targeted interventions in patients with ulcerated plaques to mitigate recurrence risk.

Jumpstarting post-conflict strategic water resources protection from a changing global perspective: gaps and prospects in Afghanistan.

Notwithstanding ambiguities, long-term economic resurgence in Afghanistan amidst water insecurity exacerbated by climate change decisively requires a water protection strategy that will complement a multitude of agroindustrial and socioeconomic activities in an environmentally sustainable and climate resilient manner. In this paper, we begin with a perspective on institutions, legislation, and key issues in the water sector of Afghanistan. We then embark on linking the integrated water resources management (IWRM) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) approaches as a novel framework for strategic water management and subsequently propose a strategy for post-conflict water protection based on the coalesced IWRM and SEA. Context relevant good practices worldwide are presented to provide empirical evidence for this approach whereas perceived opportunities and vulnerabilities in the Afghan context are discussed. Examination of post-conflict water sector initiatives in Afghanistan reveals the critical role of foreign assistance in both water infrastructure rehabilitation and modernization of the institutional aspect of water management. The introduction of IWRM as the basis for a progressive water sector strategy has been seen as a major milestone which is detrimentally matched by substantial deficiency in national capacity for implementation. Concurrently, the role of extra-national actors in relevant policy interventions has been considered catalytic despite criticisms of proposed regulations as being anachronistic to field realities. Therefore the view is maintained to practicable policies by accelerating policy learning in the country's water and environment sectors to encourage homegrown water strategy innovations. Demonstratively, mainstreaming IWRM-SEA coalescence will bridge institutional gaps for better feedback between local and national water stakeholders, providing a venue for improved delivery of water services to sustain post-conflict socioeconomic recovery and promote environmental stewardship.

Management of paediatric tuberculosis in provincial and district hospitals in Afghanistan.

Case detection, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis 1 B) in children are challenging issues vorldwide. This study in Afghanistan aimed to evaluate paediatric TB case management, including contact investigation, at health facilities where all diagnostic processes were available. In 7 out of 8 regions of the country 1 province was selected. Documents used for management of paediatric TB cases were reviewed in 15 distinct hospitals and 8 provincial hospitals in the selected provinces. The key issues which emerged were: a low suspect rate among total outpatients (0.4%) and a very low suspect rate among children aged < 5 years; low performance of suspect management (68.5% suspects received further examinations); low utilization of other diagnostic methods; a high early defaulter rate (14.0%); and insufficient coverage of contact management (74.0%). This survey indicated that the Afghanistan national TB programme needs to develop plans to improve the quality of diagnosis, suspect management and contact management in paediatric TB cases.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin as a Predictor of Acute Kidney Injury in Children With Shock: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The current definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) is based on serum creatinine (SrCr) and urine output, limited by delayed identification of such patients. Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is considered an early diagnostic and highly predictive biomarker of AKI. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of NGAL for AKI compared with creatinine clearance for early detection of AKI in children with shock receiving inotropic support. METHODS: Critically ill children requiring inotropic support in the pediatric intensive care unit were enrolled prospectively. SrCr and NGAL values were obtained three times at six, 12, and 48 hours after vasopressor initiation. Patients with AKI were defined as having loss of >25% renal function based on creatinine clearance within 48 hours. NGAL level of more than 150 ng/dl was suggestive of the diagnosis of AKI. Receiver operator characteristic curves were generated for NGAL and SrCr to compare the predictive ability of both at 0, 12, and 48 hours of starting vasopressor support.  Results: A total of 94 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 43±50.95 months. Most common primary diagnoses were related to the cardiovascular system (46%). Twenty-nine patients (31%) died during the hospital stay. Thirty-four patients (36%) developed AKI within 48 hours following shock. The area under the curve (AUC) for NGAL at a cutoff of 150 ng/ml was 0.70, 0.74, and 0.73 at six-hour, 12-hour, and 48-hour follow-up, respectively. NGAL had a sensitivity of 85.3% and specificity of 50% at 0 hours of follow-up for diagnosis of AKI. CONCLUSION: Serum NGAL has better sensitivity and AUC compared to SrCr for early diagnosis of AKI in children admitted with shock.

Assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in relation to shisha smoking among adults in Qatar: An analytical cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is a preventable cause of disease and death worldwide. Shisha has become a popular method of smoking tobacco. In Qatar, the prevalence of smoking in 2019 was 25.2%, of which 20.9% was smoking shisha. Shisha smoking is thought to have a harmful effect on the cardiovascular system. The main objective of this study was to understand the relationship between shisha smoking and cardiovascular disease risks. METHODS: All data were obtained from the Qatar Biobank (QBB). The study population consisted of 1045 individuals, which included cases defined as participants who had a history of angina, heart attack and/or stroke and their matched healthy controls for age and gender. The measurement of both the exposure and the outcome was done through the survey provided by QBB. A conditional logistic regression model was used to assess the association between smoking and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: After adjusting for hypertension diagnosis, diabetes diagnosis, dyslipidemia diagnosis, abdominal obesity, and sedentary lifestyle, exclusive shisha smokers had 1.65 times higher odds of reporting cardiovascular disease diagnoses compared to non-smokers (95% CI: 0.71-1.91). Dual shisha and cigarette smokers also had 1.47 times higher odds of reporting cardiovascular disease diagnoses compared to non-smokers (95% CI: 0.88-2.45). CVD cases had a younger median age of initial shisha smoking compared to controls (20 years vs 25 years, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Shisha smoking was associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, this association did not reach the level of statistical significance within this study. A finding to consider that showed strong evidence is the younger age of initial shisha smoking in cases. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the true relationship between shisha smoking and cardiovascular disease.

Impact of the Drug Prices Control Order (2013) on the Utilization of Anticancer Medicines in India: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

Objectives The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority introduced a series of Drug Prices Control Orders since 1970 to regulate the prices of essential medicines in India. This study evaluated the impact of the Drug Prices Control Order of 2013 on the utilization of anticancer medicines in the Indian private sector. Methods We used monthly sales audit data for a period of 2012-15, provided by Intercontinental Medical Statistics (IMS) Health. Through interrupted time series design and segmented regression models, we estimated the change in utilization of anticancer medicines following the drug pricing policy implementation. Results Of 1556 anticancer drug packs, 22.3% (n= 347) were price-controlled. The policy led to an immediate monthly reduction of 27.3% (95% CI -38.6%, -13.9%; p=0.001) and a long-term monthly reduction of 0.7% (95% CI -1.6%, 0.3%; p=0.16) in price-controlled formulation's utilization. In the final study month, the price-controlled formulation's utilization was 5.03 thousand standard units lower than what would have been expected without the policy. Melphalan showed the highest immediate reduction, and alpha-interferon showed the highest long-term reduction in utilization. Conclusion Drug prices control order 2013 caused an immediate and long-term decline in the utilization of anticancer medicines in the Indian private sector. However, study data was limited to a specific part of the Indian anticancer drug market, which must be considered when interpreting findings.

Determining Bone Turnover Status in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease.

Introduction Hepatic osteodystrophy is an osteoporotic bone disease that occurs in chronic liver disease patients. The global prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with chronic liver disease is 30% to 40%. The pathogenesis of hepatic bone disease is not clear, but it occurs due to unstable bone remodeling with increased bone resorption and decreases bone formation. There has been an interest in determining the clinical utility of bone turnover markers (BTMs) in the assessment of osteoporosis in chronic liver patients. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in patients with chronic liver disease at the section of chemical pathology, department of pathology and laboratory medicine, Aga Khan University (AKU). A total of 50 patients with age >8 years and a history of liver disease >6 months were recruited from January to October 2019. Liver function tests, i.e. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), albumin, and bilirubin, along with clinical signs of liver disease chronicity, were noted. The samples for BTMs, i.e. total serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type-1 collagen (CTX) were withdrawn and analyzed on Microlab (ELItech Group, Puteaux, France) and ADVIA Centaur (Siemens Diagnostics, NY), respectively. Results The majority of patients were males (n=34, 68%). Twenty-four (48%) patients suffered from fibrosis while 26 (52%) were without fibrosis. Median platelet count (68×109/L (102.5-50)) and median cholesterol levels (102.5 mg/dl (147-99.5)) were decreased, whereas gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were higher in the fibrosis group as compared to the non-fibrosis group. The median levels of total ALP were 91.5 IU/L (103-82), and the median levels of CTX were 0.24 pg/ml (0.34-0.21). Conclusion In the present study, no significant difference was found in the BTMs of patients with and without chronic liver disease (CLD). However, there was a positive and significant correlation of BTMs, particularly CTX with age, bilirubin levels, and hepatomegaly.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Forns Score for Liver Cirrhosis in Patients With Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

Introduction Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible and end-stage disease. It results from chronic liver damage characterized by the replacement of normal liver tissue by fibrosis, leading to the progressive loss of liver function. Making an early diagnosis of cirrhosis is important for patients with chronic hepatitis because early antiviral therapy can prevent the progression of cirrhosis and even induce regression. There have been efforts to develop surrogate markers for liver cirrhosis as the biopsy is invasive, costly, and difficult to standardize. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Section of Chemical Pathology, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Collaboration with the Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, the Aga Khan University, from January to December 2018. A total of 90 patients (>18 years of age) with a history of chronic viral hepatitis, who were attending the FibroScan® (Echosens, Paris, France) clinic were included. Patients with a history of autoimmune liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded from the study. Blood samples withdrawn were analyzed on ADVIA Centaur® (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany), and Forns scores were calculated based on the following four parameters: patient age, total cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and platelet count. Results The median age of the patients was 38.5 years [interquartile range (IQR): 21]. Among the study population, 59 (65.6%) were males and 31 (34.4%) were females; 26 patients showed reactivity for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and 63 patients were found chronic with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The proportion of HCV was observed to be higher as compared with that of Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Nineteen patients were found to have jaundice and only one patient had ascites. An Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve (AUROC) was generated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Forns score. It was observed that the Forn score value of >7.110 had an AUROC of 0.9928 (95% CI: 0.9821-1.003, p-value: <0.001) with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 91.19-100.0%) and specificity of 94% (95% CI: 83.45-98.75%), with a higher positive likelihood ratio of 16.67. Conclusion This study found the Forns score to be sensitive and specific in diagnosing liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. The Forns score at a cutoff of 7.11 is highly sensitive as well as a specific noninvasive method that can be used to ascertain the status of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis patients.

Early renal damage assessed by the SLICC/ACR damage index is predictor of severe outcome in lupus patients in Pakistan.

We investigated patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with the objective of assessing whether early damage accrued in systemic lupus erythematosus as measured by the SLICC/ ACR Damage Index predicts mortality in lupus patients that have been followed prospectively in a single center. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from Aga Khan University hospital presenting between 1992 and 2007 were included. This enabled all patients to be potentially followed for at least 10 years. Yearly SLICC/ACR Damage Index scores were determined for each patient. Early damage was defined as a score ≥1, and no damage as a score of 0 at the initial assessment. Kaplan-Meier and Log rank tests were used to compare the survival experience between those with and without damage, with all patients being assessed at 10 years. In this inception cohort 198 patients were identified and were followed for 10 years. Of these, 47 (23.7%) patients had a SLICC/ACR Damage Index score of 0 (no damage) while 151 patients (76.3%) had at least one SLICC/ACR Damage Index item scored (early damage). Mean renal damage score at 1, 5 and 10 years was 0.16, 0.34 and 0.67, respectively. Of lupus patients who exhibited renal damage at their first SLICC/ACR Damage Index assessment, 31% died within 10 years of their illness as compared with only 13% who had no early renal damage (p < 0.003). Mean renal damage score at 1 year after diagnosis was a significant predictor of death within 10 years of diagnosis (p < 0.002).

Infection control measures in neonatal units: implementation of change in the Gaza-Strip.

Introduction: Low-income countries rarely report infection control measures although they are key to reducing mortality and morbidity in healthcare. This audit examined healthcare personnel's adherence to infection control measures before entry to the NICU and in both minor and major procedures' bundles. Furthermore, it examined the effect of subsequent authorization and dissemination of infection control guidelines followed by education and training sessions on the adherence of healthcare personnel to infection control policies.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in two NICUs at two separate hospitals in the Gaza-Strip, Palestine. The initial observation period was June-August 2016 during which healthcare professionals' adherence to infection control policies was assessed by direct observation. This was followed by NICU feedback dissemination and on-site educational and training sessions. Then, the reaudit, following the same protocol, was carried out throughout February 2017.Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the adherence to infection control measures among healthcare personnel. Significant improvements were found in both minor and major procedure infection control protocols' adherence rates. However, when comparing the general neonatal handling adherence rate between both audits, no significant change was noted.Discussion: This study highlights the effectiveness of using audit feedback and on-site educational and training sessions in the enhancement of adherence to infection control policies, demonstrating significant improvement in areas covered by the staff training program. Therefore, including regular infection control training combined with feedback in the curriculum of healthcare professionals can improve the sustainability of infection control programs. Further studies must examine the impact of such training also on the incidence of healthcare-associated infection rates as well as morbidity and mortality within neonatal units.

Transgenerational effect of parental obesity and chronic parental bisphenol A exposure on hormonal profile and reproductive organs of preadolescent Wistar rats of F1 generation: A one-generation study.

There is a global concern about adverse health effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic and obesogenic compound, used in the plastic and medical industry has a dominant position among EDCs as far as human health and regulatory scenario are concerned. Due to its omnipresence across the biosphere, population of all age groups and health status is unavoidably exposed to BPA. Transgenerational exposure to BPA and its effects have also been recognized. However, there is no report on the transgenerational effect of BPA on metabolically disordered parents, such as obese ones. We studied effect of BPA exposure in F0 generation and its impact on F1 generation and factored parental obesity in transgenerational effect of concurrent exposure to low dose BPA (10 ppm × 180 days) in Wistar rats in a one-generation study protocol. The exposed F0 generation animals were crossed and F1 generation was analyzed 35 days after birth for indications of reproductive toxicity. We observed changes in hormone levels and disturbance in glucose and lipid homeostasis. Animals showed increased serum cholesterol and triglycerides along with higher birth weight and rapid weight gain. Histopathological evidence confirmed the presence of regressive and inflammatory changes in the ovary and testis. The test group showed metabolic disturbances in comparison to control group. Our study showed the additive effect of parental obesity in transgenerational reproductive toxicity of BPA. Female animals of F1 generation of BPA-treated obese parents showed more insulin resistance than males with similar exposure scenario. Our study highlights the confounding role of metabolic disorders such as obesity in the transgenerational toxicity of BPA, which otherwise itself is implicated in the aetiology of such metabolic disorders, directly or indirectly.

Enhanced propensity of T lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus to apoptosis in the presence of tumour necrosis factor alpha.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of inflammation through exposure to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha on T lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We studied the effect of TNFalpha on T-lymphocyte apoptosis in patients with SLE, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and in healthy controls. Apoptosis of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and naive and memory subpopulations was determined by flow cytometry using 7-amino-actinomycin D (7AAD) and propidium iodide (PI). In SLE, apoptosis was studied in patients with active and inactive disease and in patients on different medications. RESULTS: TNFalpha enhanced apoptosis of anti-CD3-activated T lymphocytes. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in T lymphocytes from patients with SLE than RA patients and healthy controls. After 3 days of culture, 38% of CD4+ and 37% of CD8+ cells from SLE patients underwent apoptosis in the presence of TNFalpha compared with 25% CD4+ and 26% CD8+ T cells from the controls (p<0.001). In healthy controls, more memory than naive T lymphocytes underwent apoptosis. By contrast, in patients with SLE, more naive T cells underwent apoptosis with TNFalpha (p<0.01). Enhanced apoptosis of T cells in SLE was independent of disease activity or medication. Finally, inhibition experiments showed that apoptosis in the presence of TNFalpha was only partly blocked with anti-Fas ligand (FasL) antibody. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that T lymphocytes in patients with SLE are more prone to apoptosis in the presence of TNFalpha than T lymphocytes from healthy controls. Defects in TNFalpha signalling pathways rather than distribution of TNF receptors (TNFRs) probably explain the enhanced apoptosis in SLE.

Quality and acceptability of a set-type yogurt made from camel milk.

Camel milk (CM) set yogurts were formulated with gelatin, alginate (ALG), and calcium (Ca). Titratable acidity, pH, sensory properties, and acceptability of CM yogurts were studied. Twelve treatments were prepared; 3 using gelatin at 0.5, 0.75, and 1% levels and 9 with combinations of ALG and Ca at different levels. Titratable acidity and pH of fresh yogurt were not affected by the addition of gelatin or the ALG and Ca combinations. Trained sensory panel results showed that CM yogurt containing 1% gelatin or 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca had the highest intensities for firmness and body. Consumer results indicated that the hedonic ratings of the sensory attributes and acceptability of CM yogurt containing 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca were similar to that of cow's milk yogurt. The CM yogurts containing ALG + Ca and flavored with 4 different fruit concentrates (15%) had similar hedonic ratings and acceptability. Addition of 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca could be used to produce acceptable plain or flavored CM yogurt.

[Ulcerations of the extremities: An unusual manifestation of Behçet's disease]. / Ulcérations des extrémités : une manifestation inhabituelle de la maladie de Behçet.

BACKGROUND: Although cutaneous and mucosal involvement is a major manifestation in Behçet's disease, ulcerated lesions of the extremities are exceptional and poorly known. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old male patient was diagnosed 7 years ago with Behçet's disease. This diagnosis was made in the presence of recurrent bipolar aphtous ulcers, pseudofolliculitis lesions and retinal vasculitis. After having been lost to follow up for two years, during which his treatment was discontinued, he presented centimetric necrotic ulcerations of the fingers of the hand and of the right big toe. The biopsy revealed leucocytoclastic and necrotizing vasculitis. The patient improved with antibiotic, oral corticosteroids, colchicine and local care. CONCLUSION: Linking extremity ulcers with Behçet's disease, though sometimes difficult, is essential for proper management.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The objectives were to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Anti-CCP antibodies were checked by ELISA in 68 children with JIA, 38 males and 30 females with mean age of 10.6 (+/-4.02) years and disease duration of 3.7 (+/-1.8) years. Thirty-eight (56%) patients had polyarticular disease, 20 (29%) patients had oligoarticular disease and 10 (15%) patients had systemic onset disease. All patients had their antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF) and ESR checked and x-rays performed to look for erosions. Results were compared to those of 20 healthy children, 14 children with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and 30 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anti-CCP antibodies were positive in 14/68 (20.6%) patients with JIA, all had polyarticular-onset disease. All patients with positive anti-CCP antibodies had RF-positive polyarthritis. Anti-CCP antibodies were negative in all patients with oligoarticular-onset and systemic-onset disease including 2 patients with extended oligoarthritis. Anti-CCP antibodies were negative in healthy and JSLE controls but were positive in 20/30 (66.5%) adults with RA. Anti-CCP antibodies correlated significantly with joint erosions in patients with JIA (p = 0.004) but no significant relation was found between anti-CCP antibodies and ANA positivity or raised ESR. These data confirm that anti-CCP antibodies are less prevalent in JIA than adult RA but are detectable in a significant proportion of RF-positive patients with polyarticular-onset JIA. The current study showed significant relation between anti-CCP positivity and erosive joint disease in JIA.

Burn during a routine pterygium excision operation.

PURPOSE: To report a patient who sustained a spark fire burn during a routine pterygium operation. METHODS: A 40-year-old woman was referred for pterygium excision in her left eye. During the operation a low temperature cautery caused a spark fire that resulted in left eye corneal burn, upper and lower eyelid burns, and melting of eyelashes and eyebrows bilaterally. RESULTS: Topical antibiotics and vitamin C followed by topical corticosteroids were given. After 1 week the corneal epithelium healed but a paracentral corneal opacity developed. Two months later on last follow-up visit, a mild diffuse corneal opacity was still seen. The combination of three elements found in most routine (ophthalmologic) surgical fields-an enriched oxygen environment with the high temperature transmitted by the electrocautery in the vicinity of hair-might explain the event. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should try to separate these three elements or eliminate any of them, in order to minimize or prevent such events.