Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk produced in Ardebil of Iran

Contamination of milk and dairy products to aflatoxin M1 is a risk for human and it can be a public heath concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk samples produced in Ardebil City [Iran] by ELISA [Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay] technique. 122 samples of raw milk were collected from milk collecting centers and dairy plants in the region and aflatoxin M1 contamination was detected in all of milk samples. The mean concentration of aflatoxin M1 was 40.01ng/L and 14.75 percent of the samples had higher levels than the maximum recommended limits by ISIRI, European Community and Codex Alimentarius. With a view of the fact that milk is used by all the age groups including infants and children in the city of Ardebil, it is necessary to apply an ideal recommended limit to minimize the health hazard from aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk. Application of Good Agricultural Practices and Good Veterinary Practices by agriculture and also the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points [HACCP] system as a draft code of practice for preharvest and postharvest control of dairy cow's feed and in milk and dairy products processing is effective

HsCRP in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. As there is systemic as well as local inflammation in COPD patients and evaluating the stage of the disease is not possible by spirometery alone, we evaluated High-Sensitivity C-reactive Protein [HS-CRP] in a group of COPD patients as an available and cost effective auxiliary marker in determining COPD stages. In a cross-sectional study in 160 COPD patients who were admitted for exacerbations in Razi Hospital in Rasht, Data on patients' demographic characteristics, pulmonary function test [PFT] and laboratory results consist of arterial blood gases and HSCRP levels were analyzed. A significant positive correlation was seen between serum HSCRP level and stages of the disease [as GOLD criteria]. There was a significant relationship between HSCRP level and patients' sex, BMI, and smoking history in a way that men and smokers showed higher and patients with normal BMI showed lower HSCRP levels. The patients with higher PCO2 also showed a higher level of serum HSCRP. This survey supports the role of HSCRP as a simple auxiliary marker in staging and determining the prognosis of COPD for early management

[Effect of atorvastatin on indices of chronic asthma in patients under treatment with high dose inhaled steroid or oral steroid]

Statins are the most common type of cholesterol- lowering drugs which have anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Regarding to examine new medications for asthma management due to the side effects of existing routine asthma treatments, statins are one of drugs which have been suggested recently. Effect of atorvastating on lung function and airway inflammation. In this triple blind clinical trial study sixty seven patients with moderate to severe asthma were entered. They were divided to two groups randomly. Case group were treatment by oral atorvastatin 40 mg daily and control group were treatment by placebo on lung function. Patients were visited and their lung volumes [FEV1, FVC, FEV1/ FVC, FEF25-75%] and inflammatory biomarkers [ESR, Hs-CRP] and asthma control questionnaire score were measured every 4 weeks during the course. Fifty patients completed the study. Data was analyzed by chi[2], t-test and Mann-Whitney test. P value <0.04 was significant. There were no significant differences in lung volumes and inflammatory biomarkers between atorvastatin and placebo groups. We observed significant differences in the trend of lung volumes include FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF 25-75% in each of the atorvastatin and placebo groups during the course of study [p<0.001] but there were no significant difference between them. There were significant differences in the trend of asthma control according to asthma control questionnaires in each of atorvastatin and placebo groups during the course [p<0.001]. According to this study, atorvastatin does not show any significant anti-inflammatory activity in patients with moderate to severe asthma therefore it could not be beneficial for the short term treatment of asthma. But it seems that regular visit and patient education could lead to better asthma control

Pulmonary function test results in patients with ulcerative colitis

Pulmonary complication of IBD includes airway inflammation involving small and large airways, pulmonary paranchymal disease and serositis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Pulmonary Function Test [PFT] abnormality in ulcerative colitis [UC] patients. During spring and summer of 2006, PFT [spirometry and body box plethysmography] of 50 UC patients were compared with 50 healthy persons matched for age and sex [control]. Data collection form including demographic specification and UC condition were filled. Mean age of patients was 37.2 years [SD=14.5]. Active UC was seen in 24% of patients while 18% of patients suffered from severe UC. PFT results included 42% air trapping [only increase in residual volume/total lung capacity], 20% small airway obstructive pattern [only decrease in maximal expiratory flow at 25-75% of vital capacity], 12% restrictive ventilation defect, 2% obstructive airway, 2% hyperinflation and 6% upper airway obstructive pattern. There was a significant relationship between small airway obstructive pattern and duration of UC and no relationship was noticed between other pulmonary disorders and severity, activity, duration of UC. According to high prevalence of air trapping, small airway disease may be the prominent feature of lung involvement in UC patients. Therefore a meticulous work up for respiratory diseases is necessary in UC patients

effect of AT[1] receptor blockade on BAX and BCL-2 expression in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Recent studies have indicated the role of apoptosis and angiotensin in the pathogenesis of bleomycin induced-pulmonary fibrosis. Losartan, an angiotensin type 1 receptor [AT1R] antagonist, has ameliorated apoptosis and fibrosis from bleomycin. In this study, alterations in the expression of apoptosis-regulatory genes [bcl-2 and bax] were investigated in different cells of lung tissue of mice treated with bleomycin in the presence of losartan. Losartan [10 mg/kg, i.p.] was given to mice two days before administration of bleomycin [3 U/kg] and throughout the test period. After two weeks, lung tissues of mice were evaluated for fibrosis by biochemical measurement of collagen deposition and semiquantitative analysis of pathological changes of the lung. The expression of bcl-2 and bax was assessed by immunohistochemical assay using biotin-streptavidin staining method on paraffin-embedded lung tissues. Pre-treatment with losartan significantly [P < 0.05] reduced the increase in lung collagen content and also inhibited the histological changes induced by bleomycin. Immunohistochemical studies showed that losartan significantly [P < 0.05] reduced the bax/bcl-2 expression ratio in the alveolar epithelial cells, lymphocytes, macrophages and interstitial myofibroblasts. Losartan also inhibited the bcl-2 upregulation which was educed by bleomycin in neutrophils. By reduction of bax/bcl-2 ratio as a determinant of susceptibility of a cell to apoptosis, losartan exerted protective effects on the alveolar epithelial cells that may be important in the amelioration of pulmonary fibrosis. These results may help to better understanding of the role of angiotensin II and apoptosis in pulmonary fibrosis

[Calcium absorption from calcium acetate in comparison with calcium carbonate in healthy women]

Osteoporosis is a life threatening disease. One of the important etiologies of osteoporosis is low calcium intake from daily dietary intakes, making calcium salt administration in pharmacological form or as a food additive highly recommendable as a protective mechanism againt this disease, especially in women. Calcium acetate is a water soluble agent whereas calcium carbonate [which is routinely used in pharmacological forms of calcium salts] is not easily dissolved in water; hence we decided to compare the bioavailability of calcium carbonate to that of calcium acetate. During a clinical trial study, 20 normal female volunteers with the appropriate inclusion criteria were enrolled. On the day of study, fasting urine specimens were collected from all subjects, and 2 hours after a meal, a solution of calcium carbonate was administered to all participants and then, again, urine specimens were collected after 4 hours. After a 10 day washout period, this test was repeated with calcium acetate. The results were analyzed with paired t test. The mean increase in urine calcium was 38.55 +/- 6.1 mg and 36.33 +/- 6.14 mg after administration of calcium carbonate or calcium acetate respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between calcium absorption from calcium carbonate and calcium acetate. Regarding the beneficial effects of calcium acetate as a soluble salt, in comparison with calcium carbonate and based on the results of this study indicating the similarity in calcium absorption from these two salts, calcium acetate can be administered as an appropriate substance for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Indeed it can be used in enriching the liquid comestibles

Substernal goiters: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management

Intrathoracic goiter [ITG] or substernal goiter [SSG] includes any thyroid enlargement in which over 50% portion of the thyroid permanently located under the thoracic inlet and lower pole of thyroid is not palpable with the neck in hyperextended position. Between Jan 1993 and July 2002, 334 patients underwent thyroidectomy for goiters in Rasht [North of Iran]. In this investiagation, initial presentations, surgical managements and complications of 32 patients with substernal goiter have been evaluated retrospectively. Results: There were 20 women and 12 men, with a mean age of 40 years [range 45-67 yrs]. Twenty-two patients presented with respiratory symptoms, two had dysphagia, four complained of hoarseness, and five patients were detected incidentally by CXR. Chest X-ray was the first step in diagnosis, and C. T Scan was the best imaging examination for diagnosis. Isotope scanning was helpful only in five patients. Twenty-one patients were operated with the collar incision, seven with collar incision, and in some along with partially sternotomyfour and four patients were operated by median sternotomy. In 17 patients the goiters were in the right anterior mediastinum and in 14, in the left anterior mediastinum, in one patient goiter was seen in the hilum of the right lung. Pathologic reports were as follows: multinodular goiter in 22 patients papillary cell carcinoma in seven patients anaplastic carcinoma in one patient and lymphoma in one patient. Medullary cell carcinoma in one patient. There was no hospital mortality. Postoperative complications occured in five patients. This study recommends that intrathoracic goiter should be operated early under suitable conditions because of malignant transformation and other hemorrhagic or serious complications