Comparing carotid intima-media thickness between the type 1 diabetesmellitus and healthy individuals

Increased carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] is considered as a marker for early detection of atherosclerotic changes in the arterial walls. The purpose of this study was to assess CIMT in type 1 diabetic patients compared to controls. A case-control study was performed on 34 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 33 healthy people in Kashan during 2013-2014. The inclusion criterion was the diabetes history more than one year and the exclusion criteria were the use of antihypertensive or lipid reducing drugs, smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease, any complications of diabetes and any chronic disease. The weight, height, blood pressure and CIMT of the patients were measured. Moreover, laboratory tests including fast blood sugar, Hb Ale and lipid tests were performed. Sixty-seven subjects [34 type 1 diabetes patients and 33 healthy controls] were evaluated. The mean history of diabetes mellitus was 76.03 +/- 51.44 months. The mean age of the healthy subjects was 15.35 +/- 5.73 years and for the patients 15.25 +/- 7.94 years. Mean CIMT in healthy subjects was 0.439 +/- 0.06 mm and in patients 0.478 +/- 0.05 mm [P=0.005]. Moreover, maximum CIMT was higher in the patients than in the controls [P=0.01]. The multiple linear regression showed that CIMT was about 0.012 units higher in diabetic patients than in controls, and also CIMT was increased 0.012 units per one unit increase in HbAlc values. The mean CIMT in patients with type 1 diabetes was higher than in the controls and positively correlated with the history of diabetes, while it does not correlate with the lipid profiles, blood pressure and body mass index

[Identification of mutation for drug resistance gene in cutaneous leishmaniasis]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a common parasitic disease and one of the health problems world wide. The pentavalent antimonial drugs [e.g. pentostam and Glucantime] are the first line treatment for leishmaniasis, and resistance to these drugs is a serious problem. Using PCR method, this study was carried out to identify the mutation for sodium stibogluconate resistance gene in cutaneous leishmaniasis cases referred to different health centers during 2006-8. This descriptive study was conducted on 150 isolates of leishmania major and leishmania tropica to identify the mutation in drug resistance gene. Promastigote clones were cultured in enriched RPMI 1640 medium and then the genomic DNA was isolated and using a pair of primers, a 400 bp of the gene was amplified. Finally, the PCR products were screened by conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis [CSGE] method and then the mutation was confirmed using RFLP with Sdu1 enzyme. Screening using CSGE and RFLP methods showed that 6.3% of the samples carried a mutation for drug resistance gene. Results showed a resistance for cutaneous leishmania against sodium stibogluconate. Further studies are required to determine the biochemical mechanism of this resistance

[Detection of drug resistance gene in trichomonas vaginalis by PCR]

Trichomoniasis is a worldwide protozoan parasitic disease. Considering the importance of the disease in public health and the controversial ideas about the prevalence of drug resistance, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of metronidazole resistance gene in trichomonas vaginalis [T. vaginalis] with PCR-RFLP method in Tehran and in Kashan. In this descriptive study 140 samples of T. vaginalis in patients with T. vaginalis infections were collected and assessed microscopically. Then they were isolated and examined by culturing in dorset's medium, DNA extraction and PCR amplification. The PCR products were analyzed using RFLP and suspected samples were sequenced. All but 7 samples were T. vaginalis positive by PCR. Sixty-two samples [44.4%] were examined by microscopic, culture and PCR techniques; 12 samples [8.5%] by microscope and PCR, 56 samples [40%] by culture and PCR and other 3 samples [2.1%] were positive only by PCR. Two samples [1.5%] were also examined for detection of mutation in 18S rRNA gene with RFLP in Tehran. This study shows that T. vaginalis infections in the female population living in Tehran are metronidazole-resistant. Since metronidazole is considered as the drug choice for T. vaginalis infections, more studies are recommended for identification of the drug resistance mechanisms and prevention of the disease

rapid and sensitive modified HPLC method for determination of diclofenac in human plasma and its application in pharmacokinetic studies

A sensitive, accurate and rapid reverse phase HPLC method was developed to quantitate plasma levels of diclofenac sodium in human plasma. The drug, internal standard [naproxene] and orthophosphoric acid 1 M, were added to plasma samples and vortexed for 20 sec. A mixture of hexane /isopropyl alcohol [90:10] was then added and vortexed for 2 min. Samples were centrifuged and the supernatant layer was separated, evaporated to dryness under nitrogen gas stream, reconstituted in mobile phase and an aliquot of 50 micro l was analyzed on a micro-bondapack C18 [150 - 4.6mm] column, with 45% acetonitrile in deionised water and 0.5% orthophosphoric acid, [pH = 3.5] at 276 nm. The standard curve covering 0.005 - 4 micro g/ml concentration range, was linear, relative errors were within 0.13 to 16% and the CV% ranged from 1.24 to 8.75. The limits of quantitation and detection of the method were 0.005 ?g/mL and 0.002 microg/mL, respectively. The method was suitable for bioavailability and pharmacokinetic studies of diclofenac in humans and applied in a randomized, two-way cross over bioequivalance study of two different diclofenac sodium preparations with twelve subjects and with a one-week washout period

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis

A 40-year-old male patient was referred with a history of exertional shortness of breath since a few years ago. Spirometric findings were consistent with a restrictive ventilatory defect. Plain chest radiographs showed sand-like opacities throughout both lungs predominantly in the lower zones. Computerized tomographic scan revealed diffuse bilateral calcified fine nodular pattern. The diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis was confirmed by transbronchial biopsy

Comparison of metronidazole and furazolidone against giardia lamblia in children

This study was conducted on children infected by Giardia lamblia to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of Metronidazole and Furazolidone drugs in Kashan. One hundred twenty two individuals infected with Giardia lamblia were assigned in 2 groups. They were 5-12 years old. Patients were surveyed four weeks following the therapy with Metronidazole and Furazolidone. Results were compared using chi-square method. Of 122 infected patients, 68.8% were urban residents, 43.4% were females and 56.6% were males. Abdominal pain was the most common clinical symptoms [84.2%]. Four weeks after the therapy, the efficacy of metronidazole and furazolidone were 87 and 81.6%, respectively. Malaise [12.9%] and dark urine [25%] was the most frequents side effects of metronidazole and furazolidone, respectively. With respect to the efficacy of antiparasite drugs in the treatment of giardiasis, further studies in different parts of the country are highly recommended