Evaluation of diarrhea in Iranian children under five years of age

Diarrhea is still one of the leading causes of death among children. The descriptive study was conducted to evaluate epidemiologic and clinical factors in diarrheal children under five living in Tehran from April 2005 for one year. Totally 617 subjects including 551 [89%] children with acute diarrhea and 66 [11%] with chronic diarrhea were enrolled in the study. Watery elimination was the most common manifestation of diarrhea [62.5% of subjects]. The highest frequency of watery and bloody diarrhea was detected in autumn and of mucoid diarrhea in winter. Nausea, vomiting and fever were significantly higher at watery form of diarrhea [P= 0.0001, P=0.0001, and P= 0.03 respectively] but there was no correlation between these symptoms and mucoid or bloody form of diarrhea. Significant increase of anorexia was detected during the autumn, mainly at the ages of 5, 1.5 and 2 respectively [P=0.001]. Fever and dehydration were significantly higher in those with more severe diarrhea over 1 day [P= 0.03 and P= 0.0001 respectively]. Although many new findings about clinical characteristics of community-acquired diarrhea among young children in Tehran were revealed, our lack of understanding regarding the etiology of most episodes in this common pediatric disease was evident. Further studies to assess other environmental determinants, feeding patterns, immunization status of children and gastrointestinal pathogens in pediatric diarrhea are also recommended

[ sterological study of the effects of aloe vera aquose-methanolic extract on the kidney structure in the experimental diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus is the most common disease of the endocrinal glands. Since it is one of the ailments of nephropathic diabetes, so this research aims at the surveying of unbiased stereology [Cavalieri principle] of the extract of Aloe vera leaf on the diabetic rat kidney. At first, 32 male Wistar rats, 140/13 +/- 25/74 gr, were divided into: control, control + extract, diabetic control, diabetic + extract groups. Each group n=8 were divided randomly. IDDM was established by the Intra-Pertoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin in two times, control groups. Control + extract and diabetic + extract groups were treated by Aloe vera extract with doses of 70 mg/rat/day. After 30 days, rats left kidneys were excised and fixed by bouin solution. After tissue processing, staining by H and E was carry out, and at the end, with the stereology technique, quantitative information about the cortex, medulla, total kidney and glomeruli volumes was deducted. Statistical results of Anova/Tukey test and T-Test by using of SPSS 11 software showed that the mean of final body weight is increased in control, control + extract and diabetic + extract groups in comparison with diabetic control [p<0/001]. Cortical and total kidney volumes are significantly increased in control + extract, diabetic + extract groups in comparison with diabetic control [p<0/001]. Total glomeruli volume also is increased in control + extract and diabetic + extract groups, in comparison with control and diabetic control. This research shows that Aloe vera extract dose not have an effect on diabetic kidney manifestation during the course of the above treatment

[Ultrastructural study of combined therapy effect of losartan and octreotide on inhibition of glomerular epithelial changes inuninephrectomized diabetic rats]

In diabetes mellitus the increase of Agll [Angiotensin II], IGF-1 [insulin like growth factor-1] and growth hormone induce kidney lesions especially changes in content and thickness of GBM and widening and fusion of podocyte pedicles. In this research for the first time the combination of Losartan [ATI receptor blocker] and Octreotide [Somatostatin analogue] were used in order to prevent glomerular epithelial lesions.In this experimental study 15 male rats [2 months age] were uninephrectomised from left flank and divided in 5 groups [3 per group]. 7 days later diabetes was induced in 2[th], 3[th], 4[th] and 5[th] group by Alloxan [120mg/kg] subcutaneously. 5 days after diabetes induction, the third group received Losartan [5mg/kg/day] orally, 4[th] group Octretide [10 ug/day] subcutaneously and 5[th] group both two drugs with the mentioned doses for 8 weeks. The 2[th] group was served as diabetic non treatment group. Kidneys of all groups were fixed by perfusion technique. After second fixation of 1 mm[3] cortex parts in Osmium Tetroxide, they were processed in TAAB812 resin for embedding. Thin sections [600 nm thickness] were prepared and investigated by transmission electron microscope qualitatively.Losartan inhibited fusion and thickening of podocyte pedicles but in some cases couldn't maintain the 3 layer form of GBM. Octreotide had little effect on inhibition of fusion and thickening of podocyte pedicles and no effect in 3 layer form maintaining of GBM. Combined therapy inhibited fusion and thickening of podocyte pedicles and maintained 3 layer form of GBM but in some cases the lamina rara near endothelium was not seen.Octreotide have little effect on prevention of glomerular epithelium lesions. However Losartan could prevent glomerular epithelium lesions well, but combined drug therapy showed better results comparing Losartan