RESUMEN
Background: Inflammatory cytokines have been known to be associated with Chronic Heart Failure [CHF]. Given the importance of cytokines in the context of the failing heart, the prevalence of Interleukin-2 [IL-2] and Interferon-gamma [IFN-Gamma] polymorphisms was studied in patients with CHF due to ischemic heart disease in a casecontrol study
Methods: Fifty-six Iranian patients with CHF were enrolled in this study as the case group and compared with 139 healthy subjects, using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers method, so as to determine the frequency of alleles, genotypes and haplotypes of IFN-Gamma [+874 A/T] and IL-2 [-330 G/T, +166 G/T] SNPs
Results: The GG genotype at IL-2 -330 in patients with CHF was significantly overrepresented in comparison with the control group [p=0.013]. Such a positive genotypic association was also observed for IL-2 +166/TT [p=0.022]. Meanwhile, the GT genotype frequency at IL-2 -330/GT in the patient group was significantly lower than the one in healthy controls [p=0.049]. No significant association was detected between the IFN-Gamma gene polymorphisms and individuals' susceptibility to CHF
Conclusion: Certain genotypes in IL-2 gene were overrepresented in patients with CHF, which could render individuals more vulnerable to this disease
RESUMEN
Background: Proinflammatory cytokines have been known to be elevated in patients with Chronic Heart Failure [CHF]. Given the importance of proinflammatory cytokines in the context of the failing heart, the prevalence of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], Interleukin [IL]-6 polymorphisms in patients with CHF was studied due to ischemic heart disease
Methods: Forty three patients with ischemic heart failure were enrolled in this study and compared with 140 healthy individuals. The allele and genotype frequency of four Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms [SNPs] within the IL-6 [-174, nt565] and TNF-alpha [-308, -238] genes were determined, using Polymerase Chain Reaction with Sequence-Specific Primers [PCR-SSP] assay
Results: The frequency of the TNF-alpha [-238] A/A genotype was significantly higher in patients comparing to controls [p=0.043], while TNF-alpha G/A genotype at the same position decreased significantly, in comparison with controls [p=0.018]. The most frequent haplotype for TNF-alpha was A/A in the patient group in comparison with controls [p=0.003]. There was no significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies of IL-6 at positions -174 and nt565, and TNF-alpha at position -308
Conclusion: Certain alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes in TNF-alpha, but not IL-6, gene were overrepresented in patients with ischemic heart failure, which may, in turn, predispose individuals to this disease
RESUMEN
Background: Although various surface disinfectants have been introduced, most of them are toxic. The use of natural antimicrobial agent e.g. phytol, extracted from Leptadenia pyrotechnica is a new strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity, toxicity, and stability of phytol
Methods: The serial concentrations of phytol were prepared, and separately incubated with four microbial isolates. Then, its Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] was measured for each microorganism. For toxicity test, serial concentrations [62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 [micro]g/mL] of phytol were incubated with mouse skin cells, and then cell viability was calculated by MTT assay. For stability test, three common surfaces [stone, steel, and MDF] were considered. Then, 100 [micro]L of phytol was separately spread over their surface, and they have been kept at lab panel for 12, 24 and 36 hours. After incubation, two samples were obtained from each surface and inoculated on nutrient agar plates. Finally, colony count was read for each surface. T-test was used to evaluate the significant differences between groups, and P>0.05 considered as level of significant difference
Results: The MIC50 of phytol against E.coli, C.albicans, and A.niger was 62.5 [micro]g/mL, and against S.aureus was >1000 [micro]g/mL. MTT assay showed that the toxicity of phytol was dose and time dependent. The stability test demonstrated that phytol was stable on the stone, MDF, and steel surfaces until 36 hours
Conclusion: It can be concluded that phytol has high antimicrobial activity, high stability, and low toxicity. This substance must be evaluated at actual conditions
RESUMEN
Preventing oral disease is the most desirable way of ensuring good dental health for children with heart disease. Dental and gingival infections in patients with cardiac problems may lead to infective endocarditis. The aim of this study was to evaluate oral and dental health status in children with heart disease referred to a cardiac center compared with the control group. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, case group consisting of 100 patients 2-12 years old with heart disease were examined for oral and dental status in Pediatric Cardiac Center in Mashhad, Iran, in 2004. Fifty healthy children with the same age as the case group referring to the Department of Pedodontics, Mashhad Faculty of Dentistry served as the control group. For each patient, dental and medical history, dmft, DMFT, debris index, tooth brushing status as well as parental knowledge of infective endocarditis and their economic status was registered on a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square and t-tests. There were no significant differences between case and control groups in dmft [3.92 +/- 3.99 and 3.54 +/- 3.33, respectively], DMFT [3.7 +/- 4 and 1.47 +/- 1.72, respectively] and their components. Tooth brushing status and debris index were significantly worse in the study group [P = 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively]. 35% of parents were aware of the importance of good oral health in cardiac children although none of them knew about infective endocarditis. Most of the parents in study group had low [30%] to medium [53%] economic status. In this study, the children with cardiac disease did not have a good oral and dental health status. Developing strategies toward preventive dental care of children with cardiac problems and informing their parents is suggested