Cell-mediated immune responses to complex and single mycobacterial antigens in tuberculosis patients with diabetes

To evaluate cell-mediated immune [CMI] response in diabetic and non-diabetic tuberculosis [TB] patients and healthy subjects in response to complex, fractionated and single antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC] were obtained from patients suffering from pulmonary TB and type II diabetes [n = 7], pulmonary TB without diabetes [n = 10] and healthy subjects without TB and diabetes [n = 10]. PBMC were assessed for CMI responses in antigen-induced proliferation assays in response to complex mycobacterial antigens [whole cells, cell walls and culture filtrate of M. tuberculosis], a battery of naturally purified or recombinant produced secreted [ESAT6, MPT59, MPT64 and MTB38] and cytosolic [MTB10, MTB70, ML10, ML28, ML36, ML65 and MB65] mycobacterial antigens and fractionated culture filtrate proteins [fractions F1-F10] of M. tuberculosis. The majority [>70%] of diabetic and non-diabetic TB patients and healthy subjects responded to the complex antigens of M. tuberculosis. However, among the single antigens, ESAT6 was most frequently recognized by TB patients with and without diabetes, but least recognized by healthy subjects. The secreted antigens MPT59 and MPT64 were recognized by all the groups, whereas the cytosolic antigens were recognized best by healthy subjects. When tested with fractionated secreted proteins present in the culture filtrate of M. tuberculosis, the best responses in both diabetic and non-diabetic TB patients were obtained with fractions containing low-molecular-weight proteins. Diabetic and non-diabetic TB patients respond frequently to secreted low-molecular-weight ESAT6 antigen of M. tuberculosis, indicating that this antigen may be useful in the diagnosis of TB in both the groups

arabic version of childhood health assessment questionaire modified for arabic children

To determine the feasibility, reliability and validity of the childhood health assessment questionnaire - modified for Arab children [CHAQ- MAC]. One hundred and eighteen modified questionnaires were completed by 75 juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] patients and their parents attending the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over an 18 month period [January 1996 to May 1997]. The modified questionnaire was self-administered by 82% of the parents. The median time to complete the questionnaire was 10 minutes. The main difficulty in comprehension was discomfort dimension [visual analogue scale [VAS] and morning stiffness]. Test retest reliability was good [r=0.79]. Validity of the CHAQ-MAC was confirmed by the strong correlation between disability index and VAS score [r=0.58]. Functional activities that caused the most difficulties were cross sitting, assuming the prayer position, and using the Arabic style toilet. The modified CHAQ is a suitable assessment tool for Arab children suffering from JRA

Comparative study of the effects of the commonly used antidepressants on the cardiovascular system

This study included 120 patients with major depressive disorder, divided into three groups. Group I: 60 patients received tricyclic antidepressants [half of them were put on amitriptyline and the other half on imipramine]. Group II: 30 patients received tetracyclic antidepressant maprotiline. Group III: 30 patients received mononamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine. Before and after 6 weeks of treatment, all patients were submitted to [a] Measurement of blood pressure [both supine and standing] and [b] EGG. The results revealed: 1-Tricyclic antidepressants [amitriptyline and imipramine] have significant effects on ECG [increase in heart rate, prolongation of P-R interval and QTc time]. 2-Imipramine has significant increasing effect on the degree of orthostatic hypotension while the other 3 drugs have non-significant increase. 3- The only significant cardiovascular effect of maprotiline was decreased amplitude of T-wave. 4- Tranylcypromine was the least cardiotoxic [except significant lowering of supine blood pressure]