Okra [abelmoscus esculentus] improved islets structure, and down-regulated ppars gene expression in pancreas of high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus] is a tropical vegetable that is rich in carbohydrates, fibers, proteins and natural antioxidants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Okra powder on pancreatic islets and its action on the expression of PPAR-gamma and PPAR-alpha genes in pancreas of high-fat diet [HFD] and streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, diabetes was induced by feeding HFD [60% fat] for 30 days followed by an injection of streptozotocin [STZ, 35 mg/kg]. Okra powder [200 mg/kg] was given orally for 30 days after diabetes induction. At the end of the experiment, pancreas tissues were removed and stained by haematoxylin and Eozine and aldehyde fuchsin for determination of the number of beta-cells in pancreatic islets. Fasting blood sugar [FBS], Triglycerides [TG], cholesterol, high density lipoprotein [HDL], low density lipoprotein [LDL], and insulin levels were measured in serum. Moreover, PPAR-gamma and PPAR-alpha mRNAs expression were measured in pancreas using real time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] analysis

Results: Okra supplementation significantly decreased the elevated levels of FBS, total cholesterol, and TG and attenuated homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] index in diabetic rats. The expression levels of PPAR-gamma and PPAR-alphagenes that were elevated in diabetic rats, attenuated in okra-treated rats [P<0.05]. Furthermore, okra improved the histological damages of pancreas including vacuolization and decreased beta-cells mass, in diabetic rats

Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the potential anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Okra. These changes were associated with reduced pancreatic tissue damage. Down-regulation of PPARs genes in the pancreas of diabetic rats after treatment with okra, demonstrates that okra may improve glucose homeostasis and beta-cells impairment in diabetes through a PPAR-dependent mechanism

Clinical presentation and final outcome in definite cases of influenza a [H1N1] in Kashan, Iran

Influenza A [H1N1] imposed a considerable burden on our health community. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and paraclinical pattern of the disease in influenza A [H1N1] patients in Kashan. This descriptive study was carried out on 87 definite cases of pandemic influenza A [H1N1] diagnosed from July to January 2009 in Kashan. The clinical and paraclinical information were collected and analyzed by SPSS-13. The majority of patients were in age group 16-25 years and 50.6% of patients were male. The most common clinical symptoms were fever [92%], cough [78.2%] and dyspnea [54%]. The most important paraclinical findings were: leokocytosis [41.3%] increased ESR [46.6%], positive CRP [48.7%]. The mortality was seen in 8 patients [9.2%]. Regarding to majority of death has occurred in patients with underlying disease, annual prophylaxis by influenza vaccine and early treatment to prevent of morbidity and mortality is recommended

[Examination of articulation in patient using obturator by means of computer planning]

Approximately 5% of cancers involve structures of oral cavity. Partial resection of maxilla [maxillectomy] may be performed in these cases. Maxillectomy often results in significant functional disabilities such as inability in mastication, deglutition and speech with adverse impact on psychological status and social life of patients. Obturator prosthesis is a prosthodontic treatment to separate nasal and oral cavities and restore the critical above mentioned functions. The assessment of speech is considered to examine speech function restored by the treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the speech in patients with resected maxilla who have been treated by obturator prosthesis from a pool of related patients in the Prosthodotnics department of dental faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The evaluation was performed with computer software using sentence intelligibility [SI] test. This cross sectional study was conducted on 10 subjects [23-66 years] referred to the Prosthodontics department of the faculty and received an obturator. After primary examination of the prosthesis, the patients completed SI test in an acoustic room under guidance of a speech therapist. The performed tests were analyzed by the speech therapist. In addition, the SI with and without the prosthesis was evaluate by lay audience. The statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon-signed rank test and Weighted Kappa. Significant differences were found between SI tests with and without the obturators [P<0.001]. Two of 10 patients showed problems in speech function using obturator. Within the limitations of the present study, obturators had significant effect on improvement of the speech outcomes of examined patients. Improvement of the quality of life could be predicted.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection presenting with cutaneous abscess and osteomyelitis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a multi-systemic infection. A resurgence of cases of M. tuberculosis infection and extrapulmonary involvement has occurred in parallel with the HIV epidemic. Tuberculosis is rarely associated with cutaneous or osteoarticular infection. In this case report we described an unusual case of tuberculosis presenting with concurrent cutaneous abscess and osteomyelitis. The final diagnosis was confirmed by radiographic and cultural findings. Cutaneous tuberculosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with cutaneous abscesses or musculoskeletal complaints, particularly in high risk populations such as immigrants from endemic regions and immunosuppressed patients

Comparison of middle latency auditory evoked potentials in learning disability and normal 7-12 year- old children

Learning disability [LD] is one of the most prevalent problems among elementary school children. Approximately 10 percent of all elementary school children suffer from this problem. It has been determined that learning disability is predominantly accompanied with subtle impairment in central auditory nervous system. The main idea of this study was to evaluate middle latency auditory evoked potential [MLAEPs] in learning disabled children. This cross-sectional study investigated middle latency auditory evoked potential in children with learning disability [n = 31] compared to normal children [n = 31]. Latencies and amplitudes of MLAEPs results with different stimulus intensity and binaural stimulation were compared between two groups. Compared to control group, learning disabled children exhibited smaller amplitudes for all the components except the right ear Na and Pa. There is no significant difference between two groups for latencies of the components. It seems that middle latency auditory evoked potential may be useful in diagnosis and evaluation of learning disabled children although more investigation is required