ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the applicability of urinary caspase 3 enzyme and TNF-alpha as biomarkers in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction [UPJO]
Methods: In this study, 31 unilateral UPJO patients and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy childrens were enrolled. The patients with UPJO consisted of 11 female and 20 male children between the ages of 2 to 62 months old. All participants were evaluated regarding anterior-posterior[AP] diameter and cortical thickness of affected kidney by ultrasonography. Technetium DTPA renal scan and voiding cystourethrogram[to assess vesicoureteral reflux] were performed, pre-operatively. Also, urinary levels of TNF-alpha and caspase 3 enzyme were checked. Follow-ups included measurement of aforementioned indices in patients: AP diameter and cortical thickness of the affected kidney, as well as TNF-alpha and caspase 3 levels in urine, three and six months after pyeloplasty
Results: The results showed highly significant decrease in urinary TNF-alpha and caspase 3 enzyme [P values < 0.01], approaching the level measured in children without UPJO after six months. Significant decrease in AP diameter and increase in cortical thickness were also noticed [P values < 0.01]
Conclusion: The results of this study strongly support that TNF-alpha and caspase 3 levels in urine can be used for improvement monitoring in follow-up of UPJO patients after pyeloplasty and can also be potentially used as determining indices for surgical plan but more studies, especially in patients who are not surgical candidates are needed to confirm our observaitons
ABSTRACT
Background: Some evidence, not in large study populations, suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] and metabolic syndrome [MetS] share common interactions. We aimed to determine the prevalence of NAFLD and MetS in a large population registered to Kavar Cohort Study center. We also assessed the role of each component of MetS in NAFLD existence
Method: Data were obtained from 3415 volunteers who called and refereed to our center. Complete anthropometric and laboratory measurement and abdominal ultrasonography was done for these individuals to screen NAFLD and its grade. A questionnaire was also used to obtain information on demographical and medical history and alcohol consumption. MetS was defined in all participants based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [2001] [NCEP/ATP-III] and criteria for clinical diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in Iranian adults [CCDMIA]
Results: Among the refereed individuals, 2980 peoples were aged ?18 years with male to women ratio of 1:2.45. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound in 32.9% and 27.4% of men and women, respectively. MetS was detected in 65.9 and 64.6 of the patients with NAFLD [based on NCEP/ATP-III] and in 30.1% and 73.7% [based on CCDMIA] of men and women, respectively. There were no significant differences between two gender in none of the components [P>0.05]. Although, OR for hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity were approximately high in CCDMIA criteria [0.9613 and 1.2082, respectively], the differences were not statistically significant
Conclusion: NAFLD was associated with MetS. However, it was not possible to determine whether NAFLD predating the development of MetS
ABSTRACT
Recent studies suggest that rare codon clusters are functionally important for protein activity. Here, for the first time we analyzed and reported rare codon clusters in Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] genome and then identified the location of these rare codon clusters in the structure of HCV protein. This analysis was performed using the Sherlocc program that detects statistically relevant conserved rare codon clusters. By this program, we identified the rare codon cluster in three regions of HCV genome; NS2, NS3, and NS5A coding sequence of HCV genome. For further understanding of the role of these rare codon clusters, we studied the location of these rare codon clusters and critical residues in the structure of NS2, NS3 and NS5A proteins. We identified some critical residues near or within rare codon clusters. It should be mentioned that characteristics of these critical residues such as location and situation of side chains are important in assurance of the HCV life cycle. The characteristics of these residues and their relative status showed that these rare codon clusters play an important role in proper folding of these proteins. Thus, it is likely that these rare codon clusters may have an important role in the function of HCV proteins. This information is helpful in development of new avenues for vaccine and treatment protocols
Subject(s)
Codon , Genome , Computational Biology , Viral Nonstructural ProteinsABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the role of physical examination in decision making for exploring patients with penetrating zone II neck injury
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study being performed in a level I trauma center between 2006 and 2010. The present study reviewed the records of 150 patients with penetrating neck injuries. Of 46 cases with zone II deep platysma neck injuries, 3 patients died before taking any significant medical measure
Results: Thirty of 43 patients [70%] presented with hard sings while 13 [30%] did not show these sings. All patients underwent neck exploration. Two patients [4.6%] without hard sings exhibited positive findings, whereas 29 cases [67%] with hard sings reported positive on exploration
Conclusion: Briefly, we hold the view that it seems reasonable to follow an algorithmic approach by using physical examination of the patients with zone II penetrating neck injuries. This prevents unnecessary exploration for management of such patients