Insulin resistance and related factors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]: an analytic cross-sectional study

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is characterized by fatty change of liver without inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate presence of clinical and metabolic components in non-diabetic patients with NAFLD and to assess the relationship between insulin resistance and these factors. In this study, a group of 50 sonographically confirmed patients with NAFLD was studied. Following an overnight fasting, blood samples were obtained to measure serum levels of Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein [LDL-C], High Density Lipoprotein [HDL-C], SGOT and SGPT, haemoglobin A1C, Fasting Blood Sugar [FBS] and peripheral blood insulin level. Based on homeostatic model assessment [HOMA] score, patients were divided into four quartiles. Other variables including BMI, waist and hip circumference were also measured. The mean age was 42 +/- 10.3 years [range, 22-65], 33 cases [66%] were men, and 17 cases [34%] were women. Mean insulin level was higher in females [female=15.3 +/- 6.7, males=12.9 +/- 5.7]. Variables including waist [P=0.38] and LDL-C [P =0.49] were significantly different among defined study groups. The higher the HOMA index, the lower the HDL-C level [P <0.05]. Patients with insulin resistance showed significant higher values of LDL and Waist circumference. Values of HDL were significantly lower in these patients. Body mass index, Weight, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, AST and ALT values showed no relation with insulin resistance

Investigation of synthesis of PVP hydrogel by irradiation

A dressing often covers the wound to accelerate its healing. Hydrocolloid-type dressing to give better conditions for healing has been developed consisting of gelatin, pectin, water and hydrophilic polymer which promote healing. In recent years, much attention has been focused on the research and development of polymer hydrogels as biomaterials, such as contact lenses, wound dressing and drugdelivery systems. Hydrogels, as wound dressing were prepared with composite poly [N-vinyl-2-pyrolidone] [PVP] with several additives such as agar and polyethylenglycol [PEG] and by electron-beam. Electron beam was applied as a tool for initiation of crosslinking and sterilization of these materials. The effects of irradiation dose at the range of 10-40 KGy and various concentration of components on the characterizes of hydrogel such as gel content, degree of swelling [DS], equilibrium water content [EWC] and dehydration properties, transparency and microbial test were investigated. After irradiation, the achieved gel content of hydrogels was obtained higher than 25%. Gels' degree of swelling with different concentrations was changed from 35 to 20 at the range of irradiation dose of 10-40 KGy. Also, at the same range of irradiation and concentration, EWC of gels was found to be 98 to 94%. The dehydration results did not show variation with the tested parameters. Results showed that hydrogels membrane with composition PVP [10% w/w], agar and PEG [1-3%w/w] at the dose of 25 KGy had the amount of gel content 80-85%. Their DS and EWC were respectively obtained 30% and 96.5%. They were elastic, transparent, flexible, sterile and impermeable for bacteria. They absorbed a high capacity of water, attached to healthy skin, and they were easy to remove. It was concluded that the network was solely composed of crosslinked PVP plasticized by other compounds

Preparation of an artificial matrix to replace human standards of prostate specific antigen IRMA assay kit

Prostate specific antigen [PSA] is one of the most sensitive markers for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Immunoradiometric kit [IRMA] is a common and sensitive method for determination of PSA in clinical laboratories. This kit has four major components: solid phase coated with monocolonal antibody, pair antibody labelled with I-125, series of standards in different ranges of concentration and lyophilized control samples. In IRMA method, PSA is determined in human serum. Therefore, matrix of standards have to be similar to human serum. Using human serum as standard has many shortcomings namely biohazard contamination, instability, serum protein precipitation and unavailability. Artificial matrix however, is an ideal substitute for human serum. In this study, we used an artificial matrix as standard sample and evaluated its effects including reproducibility, sensitivity, precision and stability for determination of PSA in comparision to human serum. The specificity, sensitivity, storage condition and the stability of these standards prepared with artificial matrix were studied. Similar results in comparison to human serum was observed. The prepared standards with this matrix had suitable and ideal properties and it can be used as standard in PSA assay kit

Evaluation of triple and quadruple regimens in eradication of helicobacterpylori infection in pediatric patients inEmam Khomeini hospital in 2002-2003: a randomized clinical trial

Triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin and amoxicillin and quadruple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, bismuth citrate, metronidazole and amoxicillin have been proposed in Maastricht 2000 as the optimal treatment of Helicobacterpylori infection. We aimed to compare these two regimens in Iranian pediatric patients.Arandomized clinical trial in Emam Khomeini Hospital between 1381 and 1382 was done. Patients with confirmed H. pylori infection by histology were divided in to two groups in a randomized 1:1 scheme.Triple regimen group: Clarithromycin 15 mg/kg/d, Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg/d and Omeprazole 1 mg/kg/day for 10 days.Quadruple regimen group: Omeprazole 1 mg/kg/d, Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg/day, Met-ronidazole 20 mg/kg/day and Bismuth citrate 8 mg/kg for 10 days. The eradication was assessed by c-urea breath test 4 weeks after the end of treatment and by perprotocol analysis.In our study, 100 patients [50 in each group] were found and the eradication rates in the triple and quadruple group were 92% and 84% respectively [p= 0.046].According to our results, we recommend triple therapy as first-line treatment in Iranian pediatric patients and quadruple therapy as a second line regimen

Primary diffuse lymphomatous polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract

A rare case of diffuse lymphomatous polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract is reported in which the patient presented with abdominal pain, weight loss and bloody diarrhea. X-rays revealed multiple polyps involving the stomach, small intestine and colon. Biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of lymphomatous polyposis. The duration of symptoms and signs was 3 months. Diffuse lymphomatous polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract is a distinct entity, separated from diffuse gastrointestinal lymphoma or Mediterranean-type lymphoma

Colonoscopic polypectomy in children

34 children aged 9 months to 12 years presenting with chronic and intermittent rectal bleeding were diagnosed as having colorectal polyps by fiberoptic colonoscopy performed under sedation. Bleeding per rectum [mean duration, 15 months] was the chief presenting symptom and was present in 97% of these patients. In 85% of patients polypectomy was carried out without using general anesthesia. 78% of patients had juvenile polyps and 22% had solitary adenomatous polyps. Two children had two polyps.The majority [33%] of the polyps were located in the rectosigmoid. Polypectomy was performed on all patients, and no case of massive bleeding, bacterial infection or perforation occurred post-operatively. Therefore, it seems that colonoscopic snare polypectomy is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of colorectal polyps in children

Sclerosing cholangitis: a complication of ulcerative colitis

A patient with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis confirmed by liver biopsy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography [ERCP] presented with severely altered liver function tests. 1mg/day colchicine was administered