Association of the CYP17 MSP AI (T-34C) and CYP19 codon 39 (Trp/Arg) polymorphisms with susceptibility to acne vulgaris.

The aim of this study was to detect the association of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 17 T-34C and CYP19 T

A comparative study of the spatial distribution of HIV prevalence in the metropolis of Kermanshah, Iran, in 1996-2014 using geographical information systems.

OBJECTIVES: Geographical information systems (GISs) have made spatiotemporal understanding of geographical patterns possible and have contributed to the identification and analysis of factors relating to health care behaviours and outcomes. The present study is the first to examine the spatial distribution of HIV prevalence in the metropolis of Kermanshah, Iran, using GISs. METHODS: The research methods were descriptive, analytical and comparative. Additionally, data recorded for HIV-infected patients in 1996-2014 were used and then the loci of HIV infection in the metropolis of Kermanshah were identified and analysed spatially using ArcGIS (Esri, New York, NY, USA). RESULTS: HIV prevalence in the metropolis of Kermanshah increased from 1996 to 2014. Analysis of the spatial distribution of the prevalence of HIV using ArcGIS indicated the presence of clusters of HIV infection. The findings demonstrate that there were many clusters of high HIV prevalence throughout the city of Kermanshah and that these clusters increased in size during the study period. Furthermore, the statistics are indicative of a growing number of HIV-infected women as well as a significant reduction in the mean age of the HIV-infected female population. CONCLUSIONS: The spatial differences in HIV prevalence across the city of Kermanshah, as well as the identification of the resulting spatial clusters in different parts of the city, suggest that measures should be put in place to prevent the growth of these clusters and to reduce the number of women being infected with HIV.

Sperm protection in the male reproductive tract by Toll-like receptors.

Sperm function can be affected by infection. Our understanding of innate immune system molecular mechanisms has been expanded, by the discovery of 'Toll-like receptors' (TLRs). It seems that these receptors could play a critical role in the protection of spermatozoa. This study seeks to examine the presence and distribution of TLRs in different parts of the human male reproductive tract and spermatozoa. So, TLR gene expression was examined by RT-PCR. Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) analysis used to compare the expression of TLRs in all sections of the male reproductive tract and TLRs 2, 3 and 4 in testicular sperm extraction (TESE) samples, which contained spermatozoa (TESE+) and those that did not (TESE-). Results showed that all TLR genes were expressed in different parts of the human male reproductive tract and spermatozoa. Moreover, Q-PCR indicated that the relative expression of TLRs did not significantly change in different parts of the male reproductive tract but this technique has shown only relative TLR2 expression in TESE- is lower than TESE+ samples. It could be concluded that TLRs may provide a broad spectrum of protection from infection in the male reproductive tract. Furthermore, TLRs may influence on the developmental process during spermatogenesis.

Beneficial effect of glycaemic improvement in non-ischaemic forms of diabetic retinopathy: a 3-year follow-up.

Recent studies have suggested that optimal glucose control fails to arrest or even worsens background retinopathy possibly by aggravating retinal ischaemia. Fourteen insulin-dependent diabetic patients, aged 34 +/- 11 years (mean +/- SD) treated by long-term intraperitoneal insulin infusion using portable pumps, were followed for 3 years. Preproliferative or proliferative lesions on ophthalmoscopy and large non-perfused areas on fluorescein angiography were exclusion criteria. Six patients were found to have minimal and 8 mild background retinopathy. The patients were retrospectively assigned to two comparable groups except for their glycaemic equilibrium under insulin infusion: average control (n = 6) and excellent control (n = 8), although glycaemic control was significantly improved in all cases when compared to previous conventional therapy. Fluorescein changes were scored blindly and independently by 3 ophthalmologists according to modifications of fluorescein diffusion and capillary abnormalities. The two types of retinal lesions improved gradually in 10 patients and deteriorated in only 1 patient, although not progressing to proliferative retinopathy. Structural improvements were significantly more frequent in the excellently controlled group. We conclude that non-ischaemic lesions may still be arrested and even improved by tight metabolic control.

Continuous peritoneal insulin infusion with portable pumps: factors affecting the operating life of the chronic catheter.

Fifty-nine chronic peritoneal catheters made of polyethylene covered with silastic were used to treat 43 IDDM patients peritoneally for 3-34 mo (mean 14 mo) with portable peristaltic pumps and U40 acidic insulin. The operative life of the catheters was determined by actuarial analysis. The mechanisms of catheter failure were determined by preremoval x-ray opacification, removal under laparoscopic examination, and electron microscopic analysis of the catheter. Factors such as age, sex, duration of diabetes, implantation and tunnelization procedures, length of the catheter, and rate of infusion were analyzed. The 50% survival rate of the catheters was 16 mo. Six catheters were irreversibly obstructed by intraluminal fibrin formation and/or extraluminal adhesions, although insulin precipitation was never encountered. Seven catheters had to be removed because of a persisting local infection. Other causes were negligible (misinsertion, irreparable break). The only factor significantly related to incidence of catheter failure was gender with respect to obstruction (1 obstruction among 24 women versus 5 among 19 men, P less than 0.03).

Experience with long-term peritoneal insulin infusion from external pumps.

The long-term acceptability and feasibility of continuous peritoneal insulin infusion (CPII) from external pumps was evaluated in 40 insulin-dependent diabetic patients continuously treated for 1-27 months (mean 12 months). Blood glucose control was satisfactory and did not deteriorate with time (glycosylated haemoglobin 8.1 +/- 1.1%, mean +/- S.D., normal range 5.5-7.5%). Major problems included 1 episode of local peritonitis, 12 hypoglycaemic comas, 7 severe hyperglycaemic episodes, all cured without sequelae. Minor problems were frequent, mostly pump and catheter-related. Pump and catheter survival rates were 46% and 70% at one year, respectively. No peritoneal reaction was noted apart from occasional tissue growth around the catheter. This method of insulin treatment was judged satisfactory and acceptable by most of the subjects. Only one patient dropped out, after 1.5 years. These results were achieved through stringent selection of patients, intensive education with strict instructions, careful medical care, and possibly through the inherent physiological advantages of intraperitoneal insulin infusion.

Optimal routes for chronic insulin infusion with portable and implantable devices.

The optimal route for chronic insulin infusion via portable or implantable pumps is still a subject of controversy. Through the literature reports and personal experience (representing 70 patient-years of continuous treatment), the authors have found that the subcutaneous route is the ideal route in terms of comfort, safety, and cost. However, owing to sluggish and unpredictable insulin resorption, it appears that subcutaneous infusion is often not more effective than intensive conventional insulin therapy. The intravenous route gives the best diabetic control, but with a high risk of infection and obstruction. The intramuscular route, although more efficient than the subcutaneous, can be envisaged for only short periods because of its poor tolerance. The portal route is still at an experimental stage. The authors chose the intraperitoneal route because of the following advantages: near physiological insulin resorption kinetics; better diabetes control than subcutaneous infusion although comparable to intravenous; a 30% reduction of insulin requirements; and satisfactory local tolerance and acceptability with respect to severe asepsy precautions, patient selection, intensive education, and careful medical follow-up. The intraperitoneal route is feasible for portable insulin pumps, but basically more adaptable to implantable devices.