Association of interleukin 1 gene cluster and interleukin 1 receptor gene polymorphisms with ischemic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Proinflammatory cytokines have been known to play a considerable part in the pathomechanisms of chronic heart failure (CHF). Given the importance of proinflammatory cytokines in the context of the failing heart, we assessed whether the polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1 gene cluster, including IL-1α, IL-1ß, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-1R gene are predictors of CHF due to ischemic heart disease. METHODS: Forty- three patients with ischemic heart failure were recruited in this study as patients group and compared with 140 healthy unrelated control subjects. Using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method, the allele and genotype frequency of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL-1α (-889), IL-1ß (-511, +3962), IL-1R (psti 1970), and IL-1RA (mspa1 11100) genes were determined. RESULTS: The frequency of the IL-1ß -511/C allele was significantly higher in the patient group compared to that in the control group (p = 0.031). The IL-1ß (-511) C/C genotype was significantly overrepresented in patients compared to controls (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Particular allele and genotype in IL-1ß gene were overrepresented in patients with ischemic heart failure, possibly affecting the individual susceptibility to this disease (Tab. 1, Ref. 27).

The effect of feeding excess arginine on lipogenic gene expression and growth performance in broilers.

1. Reducing excess fat accretion is important for both human health and animal production. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of arginine (Arg) on the regulation of lipogenic gene expression and on growth performance. 2. One-d-old female broiler chicks (Ross, n = 192) were used in a completely randomised design with 4 dietary treatments in which diets included 100% (CTL), 153% (LArg), 168% (MArg) and 183% (HArg) of the recommended concentration of digestible Arg. 3. Results showed that high concentrations of Arg improved body weight gain, feed efficiency, meat production, fat and crude protein content of breast muscle and plasma thyroid hormones. Conversely, abdominal fat, cholesterol, triglyceride and urea were lower with higher concentrations of Arg. Dietary arginine increased lipogenic gene expression in muscles, while decreasing those in adipose tissue and liver. 4. It was concluded that increasing Arg in the diet reduced abdominal fat content, enhanced intramuscular fat and increased muscle and protein gain. Furthermore, Arg supplementation at the MArg concentration improved growth performance, and at HArg had the greatest effect on fat reduction.

Prevalence of Rotavirus, Adenovirus, and Astrovirus Infections among Patients with Acute Gastroenteritis in, Northern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis associated with diarrheal diseases in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. METHODS: A total of 400 symptomatic cases from patients with acute gastroenteritis from Mazandaran Province in Iran were screened using EIA method for the presence of rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus during 2005-2006. Chi-square tests were used for testing relationships between different variables. RESULTS: Rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus were detected in 62%, 2.3%, and 3% of samples, respectively. The maximum rate of rotaviruses was detected in the <1-year-old age group, while minimum rate was found in the 10 years and older age group. Astrovirus and adenovirus were detected predominantly in the 2-5-year-old age group of children, with a prevalence of 8.3% and 3.5% respectively. All studied viral gastroenteritis peaked in the winter, and minimum rate were found in summer. CONCLUSION: Our statistical analyzes indicated that viral gastroenteritis, especially Rota-viral, had the highest number of occurrences in colder seasons notably in winter and more frequently were observed among younger children.

CD26 expression on CD4+T cells in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Surrogate marker(s) of protection in human leishmaniasis is not well defined. In this study, T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine profiles and CD26 expression on CD4(+) T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with healing or non-healing forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) stimulated with Leishmania antigens were assessed. The level of interferon (IFN)-gamma production was significantly higher in patients with healing or non-healing forms of CL than in healthy controls, but it was not significantly different between the two patient groups. The level of interleukin-5 production was significantly higher in patients with the non-healing form of CL than in the two other groups. There was a significant increase in the level of CD26 expression on CD4(+) T cells in patients with healing (P < 0.001) or non-healing (P = 0.025) forms of CL compared with the control group, but no significant difference was seen between the two patient groups. A weak positive correlation was seen between IFN-gamma production and CD26 expression on CD4(+) T cells of patients with the healing form of lesion (r = 0.54, P = 0.008), but this correlation was not observed in patients with the non-healing form of CL (r = 0.53, P = 0.078). Surface CD26 is not correlated with the clinical manifestation of CL or IFN-gamma production. Therefore, CD26 is not a surrogate marker for IFN-gamma production in CL.

Post-operative pain relief following intrathecal injection of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor during lumbar disc surgery: a prospective double blind randomized study.

BACKGROUND: As spinal cholinergic receptors participate in the control of somatic pain, this effect could be potentiated by intrathecal injection of a cholinesterase inhibitor, neostigmine. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of intrathecal administration of neostigmine on pain relief after single level lumbar disectomy. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with unilateral extruded lumbar disc were randomly allocated into two groups, neostigmine ('N'), and control ('C'); the former received 100 microg of neostigmine methylsulphate, whereas the latter received placebo intrathecally after termination of the surgery. Visual Analogue Scale was employed to measure post-operative pain, which was a primary outcome of the study. Opiate dosage consumed was also recorded as a primary outcome during the first 24 h following surgery. Nausea and vomiting although important were considered as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Mean Visual Analogue Scale scores post-operatively at 1, 4 and 8 h were 2.24, 1.82 and 1.88 in group 'N' and 5.36, 5.61 and 4.88 in group C. Mean morphine used intravenously in the first 24 h was 0.9 mg in group 'N' and 4.7 mg in group C. All results were found to be significantly different in the two groups. The frequency of nausea and vomiting was not significantly different in the two groups 'C' (24%) and 'N' (18%). CONCLUSION: Injection of 100 microg hyperbaric neostigmine intrathecally was effective for pain relief, and reduced post-operative opiate demand.

Technology evaluation report: obtaining pulse oximeter signals when the usual probe cannot be used.

We studied the function of four different monitoring probes used with the Satlite pulse oximeter (Datex, Helsinki). The aim was to evaluate ease of use and compare the function of the probes and their attachment methods in different locations (finger, toe, ear, thumb web, instep, wrist, and ankle). Two similar pulse wave oximeters were used in the study. To select the best signal we determined the absolute height of the plethysmographic waveform for each probe. Probes were compared on awake normal adult volunteers (N = 13), in anesthetized adult patients (N = 12), and in neonates weighting 500-1000 g (N = 8). In all the adult trials, the clip-on finger probe was used as a reference, and probes taped or clipped onto the finger provided adequate signal from the ear or from the thumb web, however. In the neonates, taped-on probes were most satisfactory.

Pre-operative oximetry and capnometry: potential respiratory screening tools.

The growing number of patients admitted for outpatient surgery or for same-day admission makes it difficult to obtain thorough pulmonary evaluation. We wanted to evaluate the applicability of pre-operative pulse oximetry and capnography as possible pulmonary screening tools. In this preliminary study, 200 unselected, unmedicated adult patients who were being admitted for surgery were connected to a dual parameter patient monitor (Capnomac Ultima, Datex). A standard adult clip-on finger probe was used for pulse oximetric oxygen saturation. Sidestream capnometry documented the end-tidal carbon dioxide and the capnogram which was recorded for further analysis. In these unmedicated patients, the oxygen saturation ranged from 91 to 99% and was found to be 94% or less in five percent (N = 10) of the cases. The end-tidal carbon dioxide ranged from 21 to 48 mmHg. In five percent of the cases (N = 10) it was found to be 45 mmHg or higher, reflecting elevated arterial CO2. When the shape of the capnogram was rated, it was found normal in 54% of the cases. Slow rising capnogram, indicating mild (N = 84) or moderate (N = 8) airway obstruction was detected in 42% or 4% of the cases respectively. Since pulse oximeter and end-tidal carbon dioxide values are often not measured until after sedation or after induction of anesthesia, patients with pre-operative abnormalities might escape pre-operative detection. In unmedicated patients, routine pre-operative or pre-admission determination of oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide and the capnogram may be a valuable screening tool.