Prevalence of thalassaemia, iron-deficiency anaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency among Arab migrating nomad children, southern Islamic Republic of Iran.

This study investigated the prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and ß-thalassaemia trait among Arab migrating nomad children in southern Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were analysed from 134 schoolchildren aged < 18 years (51 males, 83 females). Low serum ferritin (< 12 ng/dL) was present in 17.9% of children (21.7% in females and 11.8% in males). Low haemoglobin (Hb) correlated significantly with a low serum ferritin. Only 1 child had G6PD deficiency. A total of 9.7% of children had HbA2 ≥ 3.5 g/dL, indicating ß-thalassaemia trait (10.8% in females and 7.8% in males). Mean serum iron, serum ferritin and total iron binding capacity were similar in males and females. Serum ferritin index was as accurate as Hb index in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anaemia. A high prevalence of ß-thalassaemia trait was the major potential risk factor in this population.

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma: a paraneoplastic phenomenon?

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) is an uncommon dermatosis characterized by transepidermal elimination of altered collagen. It is commonly seen in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or chronic renal insufficiency. Rarely, it has been reported in association with malignancy and other conditions. We report a 30-year-old woman with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who presented with multiple, discrete, violaceous, hyperkeratotic papules on the extensor aspects of both legs, characteristic of ARPC. Four months later, metastatic papillary thyroid cancer was diagnosed. This case further supports the possibility that ARPC may represent a paraneoplastic phenomenon.

Biomedical soft robots: current status and perspective.

This paper reviews the current status of soft robots in biomedical field. Soft robots are made of materials that have comparable modulus of elasticity to that of biological systems. Several advantages of soft robots over rigid robots are safe human interaction, ease of adaptation with wearable electronics and simpler gripping. We review design factors of soft robots including modeling, controls, actuation, fabrication and application, as well as their limitations and future work. For modeling, we survey kinematic, multibody and numerical finite element methods. Finite element methods are better suited for the analysis of soft robots, since they can accurately model nonlinearities in geometry and materials. However, their real-time integration with controls is challenging. We categorize the controls of soft robots as model-based and model-free. Model-free controllers do not rely on an explicit analytical or numerical model of the soft robot to perform actuation. Actuation is the ability to exert a force using actuators such as shape memory alloys, fluid gels, elastomers and piezoelectrics. Nonlinear geometry and materials of soft robots restrict using conventional rigid body controls. The fabrication techniques used for soft robots differ significantly from that of rigid robots. We survey a wide range of techniques used for fabrication of soft robots from simple molding to more advanced additive manufacturing methods such as 3D printing. We discuss the applications and limitations of biomedical soft robots covering aspects such as functionality, ease of use and cost. The paper concludes with the future discoveries in the emerging field of soft robots.

Association between the enterotoxin production and presence of Coa, Nuc genes among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various sources, in Shiraz.

The present study was aimed to identify the frequency of coagulase (Coa) and thermonuclease (Nuc) genes and Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (Sea) production among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various sources in Shiraz. Moreover, the correlation between the Sea gene and coagulase and thermonuclease enzymes is also considered. A total of 100 S. aureus were isolated from various sources including 40 humans, 30 animals and 30 food samples by the routine biochemical tests. The frequency of Coa, Nuc and Sea genes was evaluated by PCR assay. Correlation among those genes was finally evaluated by statistical analysis. The PCR results showed that the prevalence of Coa, Nuc and Sea genes was 91%, 100% and 14%, respectively. The evaluation of the enterotoxin production indicated that 78.6% of the Sea gene was expressed. The presence of enterotoxin A was not necessarily correlated to the production of toxin. As a final conclusion to detect the enterotoxigenic strains, both genotypic and phenotypic methods are highly recommended.

Prevalence of thalassaemia, iron-deficiency anaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency among Arab migrating nomad children, southern Islamic Republic of Iran

This study investigated the prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD]deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait among Arab migrating nomad children in southern Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were analysed from 134 schoolchildren aged < 18 years [51 males, 83 females]. Low serum ferritin [< 12 ng/dL] was present in 17.9% of children [21.7% in females and 11.8% in males]. Low haemoglobin [Hb]correlated significantly with a low serum ferritin. Only 1 child had G6PD deficiency. A total of 9.7% of children had HbA2 >/= 3.5 g/ dL, indicating beta-thalassaemia trait [10.8% in females and 7.8% in males]. Mean serum iron, serum ferritin and total iron binding capacity were similar in males and females.Serum ferritin index was as accurate as Hb index in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anaemia. A high prevalence of beta-thalassaemia trait was the major potential risk factor in this population

La présente étude a évalué la prévalence de l'anémie ferriprive,du déficit en glucose-6-phosphate déshydrogénase et de la bêta-thalassémie mineure chez des enfants nomades et migrants arabes dans le sud de la République islamique d'Iran. Des échantillons de sang de 134 écoliers de moins de 18 ans ont été analysés [51 garçons, 83 filles]. Des taux de ferritine sérique faibles [< 12 ng/dL] ont été observés chez 17,9 % des enfants [21,7 % chez les filles et 11,8 % chez les garçons]. Un faible taux d'hémoglobine [Hb] était significativement corrélé à un faible taux de ferritine sérique. Seul un enfant était atteint de déficit en glucose-6-phosphate déshydrogénase. Au total,9,7 % des enfants présentaient un taux d’HbA2 supérieur ou égal à 3,5 g/dL, signe d'une bêta-thalassémie mineure [10,8 % des filles et 7,8 % des garçons]. Le taux moyen de fer sérique, de la ferritine sérique et la capacité de liaison du fer total étaient similaires chez les deux sexes. Le taux de ferritine sérique était aussi précis que le taux d’Hb pour le diagnostic de l'anémie ferriprive. La forte prévalence de la bêta-thalassémie mineure représentait le principal facteur de risque dans cette population