Rate of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis

Objective To assess the rate of metabolic syndrome among the patients of psoriasis

Methods It was a hospital based cross-sectional study. Fifty-eight patients, clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as psoriasis were selected by purposive sampling. Data including age, waist circumference and arterial blood pressure were recorded. Fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and HDL levels were measured. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by the presence of three or more of the five criteria of the modified version of National Cholesterol Education Programs Adult Panel III [ATPIII]

Results Out of 58 patients, 17 [29.3%] patients had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in psoriatic patients in the 4th decade of life and predominant in male subjects. In psoriatic patients with metabolic syndrome, raised waist circumference >90 cm in men or >80 cm in women was found in 14 [82.3%], HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dl in 13 [76.5%], blood pressure >130/85 mm Hg in 16 [94.1%], and fasting blood sugar >5.6 mmol/L was noticed in 12 [70.6%] patients

Conclusion Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 29.3% of the psoriatic patients. Waist circumference, serum HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar were statistically significantly different [P<0.05] between patients with metabolic syndrome and without metabolic syndrome

Chyawanprash, a formulation of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, shows a protective effect on skin photoaging in hairless mice / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces skin photoaging (premature skin aging). UV irradiation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are shown to play a pivotal role in skin photoaging. Ayurveda is a holistic traditional medical system, and Chyawanprash is one of the most popular formulations in Ayurveda. Since maintenance of the function and appearance of skin is important, we examined whether Chyawanprash has a protective effect on skin photoaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To examine the effect of Chyawanprash on skin photoaging, hairless mice were administered with Chyawanprash in drinking water for 3 weeks, and then repeatedly exposed to ultraviolet light B (UVB) irradiation (225 or 450 mJ/cm) to induce skin photoaging. To further examine the function of Chyawanprash, its effects were examined in cells cultured in vitro. Chyawanprash was added in culture medium, and examined for the effect on the growth of human keratinocytes, and for the ability to eliminate ROS which generated by paraquat (50 μmol/L) in HeLa cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>UVB irradiation caused symptoms such as rough skin, erythema, and edema on the skin in hairless mice, but administration of Chyawanprash relieved these symptoms. Further, Chyawanprash significantly suppressed epidermal thickening, a typical marker of skin photoaging, in mice. We then analyzed the effect of Chyawanprash in human cells in culture, and found that Chyawanprash enhanced the growth of human keratinocytes, and efficiently eliminated ROS, which are causally involved in skin photoaging, in HeLa cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings suggested that Chyawanprash may have beneficial effects on slowing skin photoaging.</p>

Effect of fungicides, heat therapy, polyethylene packaging, temperature and storage period on qualitative characteristics of jiroft tangerine.

In this research, the effect of heat therapy (3 days at 36°C), non-phenyl fungicide (immersion in 4% biphenyl solution for 2 minute), polyethylene coating, and combination of these treatments on the quality and storage life of Kino Tangerines cultivated in Jiroft was studies. The specimens were stored in two media (plain storage and fridge) for 3 months. The total amount of the soluble solid substances in juice (TSS), TA, and TSS/TA ratio, tissue firmness and flesh color in all treatments were measured 60 and 90 days after removing the fruits from fridge and plain storage. Results suggest that in the plain storage, the best treatment after 60 days is the use of fungicide and polyethylene coating. The highest TSS/TA ratio is related to the polyethylene coating stored in fridge for 90 days. The highest color quality is related to heat therapy along with the polyethylene coating stored in fridge for 60 days. Cold storage has been more effective in flesh firmness than in its plain counterpart, and the 60-day period has been more influential than 90-day period with heat therapy and polyethylene coating than other treatments. Therefore, considering the above mentioned results for plain storage, use of fungicide along with polyethylene coating, and for cold storage, heat therapy along with polyethylene coating can be recommended for storing Kino tangerine.

Histopathological evaluation of reduction mammaplasty specimens to detect occult breast cancer: a report from southern Iran

Reduction mammaplasty [RM] is among the commonly performed procedures by plastic surgeons. Occult breast cancers are rarely detected in these specimens. The purpose of the study was to describe histopathological evaluation of reduction mammaplasty specimens to detect occult breast cancer in Southern Iran. The histological diagnosis of 350 RM specimens from 175 patients to detect occult breast cancer was evaluated retrospectively. This study determines the incidence of breast cancer too. Microscopic examination revealed that 233 specimens had no pathological changes, 106 showed evidences of fibrocystic disease, 2 were diagnosed as fibroadenoma, 4 were diagnosed as adenosis and one was diagnosed as a phylloides tumor. Furthermore, 4 specimens were diagnosed as carcinomas; 2 as medullary carcinoma and 2 as intraductal carcinoma. Four occult carcinomas were detected in young, unmarried women. Thorough gross and microscopic examination helped to detect these occult carcinomas and also helped in planning future treatments. We consider a thorough gross examination and sampling of mammaplasty specimens to be mandatory

[Creation of tenecteplase-producing CHO cell line using site-specific integrase from the phage phi C31]

The aim of this study was to produce a stable CHO cell line expressing tenecteplase. In the first step, the tenecteplase coding sequence was cloned in a pDB2 vector containing attB recognition sites for the phage phi C31 integrase. Then, using lipofection, the CHO cells were co-transfected with constructed recombinant plasmid encoding tenecteplase and attB recognition sites and the integrase coding sequence containing pCMV-Int plasmid. As the recombinant plasmid contained the neomycin resistance gene [neo], stable cells were then selected using G418 as an antibiotic. Stable transformed cells were assessed using genomic PCR and RT-PCR. Finally, the functionality of tenecteplase was evaluated on the cell culture media. our results indicated that tenecteplase coding sequence was inserted into the CHO cell genome and was successfully expressed. Moreover, tenecteplase activity assessment indicated the presence of our functional tenecteplase in the cell culture medium. Considering the data obtained from this study, phi C31 integrase can be used for the production of a stable cell line and it be used to introduce ectopic genes into mammalian cells

differences in the relaxant effects of different fractions of rosa damascena on guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle

In the present study, the differences in the relaxant effects of aqueous, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of Rosa damascena on tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pigs were examined. The relaxant effects of three cumulative concentrations of each fraction [0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g%] in comparison with saline and three cumulative concentrations of theophylline [0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mM] were examined on precontracted tracheal chains of guinea pig by 60 mM KCl [group 1, n=5] and 10 micro M methacholine [group 2, n=8]. In group 1, all concentrations of theophylline, ethyl acetate fraction and two final concentrations of n-butanol fraction showed significant relaxant effects in comparison with saline [p< 0.05 to P< 0.001]. In group 2, all concentrations of theophylline, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions showed concentration dependent relaxant effects compared to that of saline [p< 0.01 to P< 0.001]. In addition, the effect of ethyl acetate fraction in group 1 was significantly higher than those of theophylline [p< 0.05 to p< 0.001]. However, the effects of other fractions were significantly lower than theophylline in both groups [p< 0.01 to p< 0.001]. There were significant correlations between the relaxant effects and concentrations for theophylline and all fractions [except aqueous fractions in group 1] in both groups. The results showed a potent relaxant effect for ethyl acetate fraction of R. damascena on tracheal smooth muscle comparable to that of theophylline but a relatively weak relaxant effect for aqueous and n-butanol fractions at concentrations used

Work-related respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests in northeast iranian (the city of Mashhad) carpenters

OBJECTIVE: To assess the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of carpenters from the city of Mashhad (northeast Iran). METHODS: The frequency of respiratory symptoms was retrospectively estimated in a sample of 66 carpenters in the city of Mashhad in northeast Iran using a questionnaire including questions on work-related respiratory symptoms in the past year, allergy, type of irritant chemicals that induce respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and working periods as a carpenter. PFT values were also measured in all participants, and the age and smoking habits matched those of a sample of men from the general population as a control group. RESULTS: Thirty-five carpenters (53 percent) reported work-related respiratory symptoms. Cough (34.4 percent) and sputum (33.3 percent) were the most common symptoms, and only 15.15 percent of carpenters reported wheezing during work. All respiratory symptoms were higher in carpenters than in controls, which was statistically significant for cough and sputum (p<0.001 in both cases). Most allergic symptoms were also significantly greater among the carpenters than in the control group (p<0.05 for both itchy eyes and sneezing). Most respiratory and allergic symptoms in the carpenters increased during work compared to rest period which was statistically significant only for cough (p<0.05). PFT values were significantly lower in the carpenters than in control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carpentry work was associated with a high frequency of respiratory symptoms, particularly after exposure to irritating chemicals during work. PFT values were also significantly reduced among carpenters compared to controls.

Evaluation of human breast adenocarcinoma [MCF-7] cells proliferation in co-culture with human adipocytes in three dimensional collagen gel matrix: norepinephrine as a lipolytic factor

Norepinephrine plays a trophic role in the control of cell replication and differentiation in target cells that express adrenergic receptors. In this study, we have tested the influence of infraphysiological, physiological and supraphysiological concentrations [0.0001 nM, 1 nM, 10000 nM] of human norepinephrine on the proliferation of breast cancer cells [human breast adenocarcinoma [MCF-7]] in co-culture with human adipocytes in three-dimensional collagen gel matrix culture. Cell proliferation and lipolysis rate were measured by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl]-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide [MTT] and Oil red O colorimetric assay in second, 7[th] and 14[th] days of culture experiments. Our results showed a direct correlation between lipolysis rate of adipocytes and proliferation rate of MCF-7 cells. Both physiological and supraphysiological concentrations of human norepinephrine significantly [P<0.05] increased the proliferation of MCF-7 cells synchronously with progress of adipocyte lipolysis. The proliferations of MCF-7 cells were significantly decreased after conversion of adipocytes to fibroblast-like cells by supraphysiological concentration of norepinephrine. There was no statistical difference in lipolysis of adipocytes and proliferation of MCF-7 cells in response to infraphysiological concentration of norepinephrine. These findings indicated that norepinephrine stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in co-culture with human adipocytes as a lipolytic factor and that norepinephrine effect was suppressed by conversion of adipocytes to fibroblast-like cells, suggesting adipocytes as another target for prevention and therapy of breast cancer

Cleft lip and palate in southwestern Iran: an epidemiologic study of live births

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate [CL/P], is the most common congenital anomaly in the head and neck worldwide. We studied the prevalence of cleft lip [CL] and palate [CP] in Shiraz, which is located in southwestern Iran. Data was collected from the teaching hospitals of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Records of 147 608 consecutive live births delivered in three hospitals during the 10 years from November 1993 to November 2003 were reviewed. One hundred nineteen cases of CL/P or CP alone were registered for a prevalence of 0.80 per thousand live births. The overall male/female ratio was 1.25. The male/female ratio was 1.22 in the CL patients and 1.58 in the CL/P patients. A male predominance was obvious in both groups. This study shows that the prevalence rate of CL and CP in southwestern Iran is closer to the low prevalence reported in African countries and is lower than the prevalence reported in previous reports in Caucasians

Anatomical and phytochemical study of Lilium Ledebourii Boiss, A rare endemic pecies in Iran

Lilium ledebourii [Baker] Boiss.[Liliaceae], locally named "Susan -e Chelcheragh" is a native and rare species grown on the heights of Damash region [ca. 2100 m] in Gilan province, north part of Iran.The microscopic and anatomical features and the composition of oils of flower and corm of this unique plant were studied. The microscopic study has shown the main characteristic elements of leaf, stem, corm and flower of this plant. The composition of essential oils of flower and corm were determined by coupled GC-MS analysis. The yields of oils of flower and corm were 0.71% and 1.65% [v/w] respectively. The major components of flower's oil were isopulegol [55.15%], pentacosane [18.1%], 3-methyltricosane [9.97%], tricosane [5.35%], 2-methylpentacosane [4.35%], docosane [4.28%] and linalool oxide [2.20%]. The components of corm's oil were almost fatty acids. No aromatic volatile compound was found in the corm oil. Primary qualitative phytochemical tests of stem, leaf, corm and flower showed positive results for alkaloid and flavonoid [one plus] in stem and for saponin [4 plus] in corm and [2 plus] in the flower. Tests for tannin in all parts were negative. Further phytochemical and botanical studies on this unique plant is of importance