ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Background: Investigation of the gut-specific bacterial strains including lactobacilli is essential for understanding the bacterial etiology of constipation. Objective: This study aimed to compare the prevalence and quantity of intestinal lactobacilli in constipated children and healthy controls. Methods: Forty children fulfilling Rome IV criteria for functional constipation and 40 healthy controls were recruited. Fecal samples were analyzed using species-specific polymerase chain reaction followed by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Totally, seven different species of lactobacilli were detected. Out of 80 volunteers, 65 (81.3%) were culture and species-specific PCR positive from which 25 (38.46%) constipated children and 40 (61.54%) healthy subjects. The most prevalent species were L. paracasei 21 (32.3%) followed by L. plantarum 18 (27.7%) among both healthy and patient groups. Analysis of the RAPD dendrograms displayed that strains isolated from constipated and non-constipated children have similarity coefficients of more than 90%. The qPCR assays demonstrated constipated children had a lower amount of total lactobacilli population (per gram of feces) than healthy controls. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the mere existence of various species of Lactobacillus in the gut does not enough to prevent some gastrointestinal disorders such as functional constipation, and their quantity plays a more important role.
RESUMO Contexto: A investigação das cepas bacterianas específicas do intestino, incluindo lactobacilos, é essencial para a compreensão da etiologia bacteriana da prisão de ventre. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar a prevalência e a quantidade de lactobacilos intestinais em crianças constipadas e controles saudáveis. Métodos: Foram recrutadas quarenta crianças que preenchem os critérios de Roma IV para prisão de ventre funcional e 40 controles saudáveis. As amostras fecais foram analisadas utilizando-se uma reação da cadeia de polimerase específica da espécie, seguida por DNA polimórfico amplificado aleatório e PCR quantitativo em tempo real. Resultados: Foram detectadas sete espécies diferentes de lactobacilos. Dos 80 voluntários, 65 (81,3%) eram cultura em PCR específico de espécies, dos quais 25 (38,46%) crianças constipadas e 40 (61,54%) indivíduos saudáveis. As espécies mais prevalentes foram L. paracasei 21 (32,3%) seguidas por L. plantarum 18 (27,7%) entre grupos saudáveis e de pacientes. A análise dos dendrogramas do RAPD mostrou que cepas isoladas de crianças constipadas e não constipadas têm coeficientes de similaridade superiores a 90%. Os ensaios qPCR demonstraram que as crianças constipadas apresentavam uma quantidade menor de população total de lactobacilos (por grama de fezes) do que os controles saudáveis. Conclusão: Nossos achados mostraram que a mera existência de várias espécies de Lactobacillus no intestino não é suficiente para prevenir alguns distúrbios gastrointestinais, como a prisão de ventre funcional, e sua quantidade desempenha um papel mais importante.
ABSTRACT
The association between shift work and coronary high risk status [CHRS] is still unclear. The present work was designed to study the influence of shift work in a gas field petroleum company in Dakahlia on CHRS; as well as, to investigate its possible mechanisms. A cross-sectional approach was used and a systematic random technique was applied to select 200 shift workers and 200 non-shift workers. Both study groups were subjected to interview questionnaire about personal, social, smoking, occupational and medical histories. Clinical examination, including general and cardiovascular examinations, was done. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured and bpd MTia-ss-jndex [BMI Kg/m[2] was calculated. Laboratory investigations included measurements of fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and uric acid; as well as, electrocardiograph examination [ECG]. Coexistence of more than 2 conventional risk factors or diabetes mellitus [DM] or new and old coronary artery disease [CAD] defined CHRS. Vanillyl mandelic acid [VMA] was measured in 24 hours urine samples as a stress indicator for a randomly selected sub-sample from those with CHRS [25 shift and 25 non-shift workers]. The R-R deep breathing variability test on the resting ECG as a measure for autonomic function was done for the same group. The study revealed that 42.5% of shift workers were complaining of deterioration in performance and concentration during work. In addition, 35.5% of shift workers had the desire to change shift work. Among shift workers, 36% were smokers in comparison to 26.5% of non-shift workers with a statistically significant difference [p = 0.04]. Rates of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-cholesterol, low HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity and DM showed a statistically significant increase among shift workers than non-shift workers [p < 0.05]. The overall rate of CHRS was significantly higher among shift workers [p = 0.001]. Multiple logistic regression analysis of coronary high risk status as the dependant variable revealed that shift work kept a significant effect on CHRS even after adjustment for other confounders [p= 0.002]. Mean level of urinary VMA was significantly higher for shift workers than non-shift workers [p= 0.0001]; meanwhile, significantly lower R-R variability indices were recorded among shift workers than non-shift workers [p < 0.05]. The present study revealed that shift work has a significant impact on CHRS that might be related to sympathetic over-activity. It is recommended to screen for coronary risk factors in pre-placement and periodic medical examinations of shift workers with implementation of special preventive programs. Urinary VMA and R-R variability testing in ECG could be used as stress indicators among CHRS shift workers. Cases of CAD should be excluded from shift work
Subject(s)
Risk Factors , Coronary Artery Disease/epidemiology , Smoking , Body Mass Index , Lipids/blood , Socioeconomic Factors , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Different hormonal responses may appear in severe head injured patients [including increase in serum Cortisol and GH level]. These changes can also be seen in recovery and rehabilitation periods, so influencing the patients' outcome.Forty severely head injured patients, referred to emergency units of Alzahra and Kashani hospitals were studied in a cohort study [selected by convenient sampling] after dividing into two equal groups. Craniotomy was performed for one group and conservative [non-surgical] therapy for the other. In the first and seventh day of admission serum Cortisol and growth hormone were checked [using RIA method]. Data was analyzed by paired and student t tests.There were significant differences between mean of GH in the first and also in the seventh day[both with P<0.05] and between mean of GH and Cortisol from first to seventh day in two study groups[P<0.05]. But there were no significant differences between mean of Cortisol in the first or seventh day in two study groups.Results of this study showed that craniotomy as an independent factor can raise serum GH and Cortisol levels in severely head injured patients