Investigation of the Role of Zn/Cu Index and its Correlation with Physiological Activity of SOD 1 and GRx in Males with Acne Vulgaris.

It has been approved that the normal physiology of skin can be adversely affected by acne vulgaris (AV). This disorder leads to impairment of stratum corneum hydration and causes trans epidermal water loss. The normal physiology of the males' skin is different from the normal physiology of females' skin. Therefore, in case of any skin disorder, choosing the best strategy and treatment should be investigated seriously in each gender. Therefore the current study was designed to investigate the effect of two important trace elements (i.e., zinc [Zn] and copper [Cu]) on skin health and the correlation of Zn/Cu index with the physiological activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and glutaredoxins (Grx) in males with AV. In total, 100 samples were obtained from 60 males (in the age range of 17-20 years) with a definite diagnosis of AV (AVM group) and 40 males (in the age range of 18-20 years) with normal skin as the control group (CON group). The blood samples were obtained from each participant. The blood samples were centrifuged for the measurements of Zn, Cu, Zn/Cu index, SOD1, and GRx, and serum samples were preserved at -20°C until use. Moreover, Zn, Cu, and Zn/Cu index were determined using spectrophotometric kits. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as the preferred method, was performed for SOD1 and GPx measurements. On the other hand, in this study, body mass index (BMI) and age were considered to have a possible association with the incidence of acne in males. The recorded data showed that there were no significant differences between the AVM group and controls in terms of BMI. The recorded data showed that Zn (AVM:151±10.7; CON:189±9.7) and Cu (AVM:55±5.2; CON: 77±4.8) concentration was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the AVM group, compared to controls. On the other hand, the Zn/Cu index was significantly lower in the AVM group (1.05±0.19), compared to the control group (1.78±0.08). The results of the SOD1 and GRx assay showed that the AVM group suffered from a significant reduction in the SOD1 and GRx concentration, compared to the group of control. Overall, it can be concluded that the improvement of the antioxidant enzyme activity and supplementation of trace elements may significantly reduce the incidence of AV in males.

Characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus in a sample of the Egyptian population: a retrospective cohort of 1109 patients from a single center.

Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that can vary among different ethnic and racial groups. Objective The objective of this paper is to study the prevalence of various manifestations of SLE in a sample of the Egyptian population. Patients and methods Information in this study was derived from the medical records of SLE patients who sought medical advice at a private clinic in Cairo from January 1980 to June 2016. Results This study included 1109 SLE patients, of whom 114 (10.3%) were males and 995 were females (89.7%). Mean age of onset was 25.89 ± 10.81 years, while the median of disease duration from the onset of the disease till the last recorded visit was 26 months. The most common cumulative manifestations were arthritis (76.7%), malar rash (48.5%), leukopenia (45.7%), and photosensitivity (45.6%). A total of 33.1% of the patients had nephritis, and neuropsychiatric lupus was present in 6.4% of the patients. Secondary antiphospholipid syndrome was present in 11.5% of the patients. Antinuclear antibody and anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid were present in 1060/1094 (96.9%) and 842/1062 (79.3%) of the patients, respectively. Antiphospholipid antibodies were present in 266/636 (41.8%) of the patients, anti-Smith in 54/240 (22.5%), anti-SSA/Ro in 61/229 (20.4%), and anti-SSB/La in 32/277 (11.6%) of the patients. Male patients had a statistically higher prevalence of nephritis ( p = 0.01), whereas arthritis and alopecia were statistically higher in females ( p = 0.012 and p = 0.006, respectively). Patients with juvenile onset had a statistically higher prevalence of nephritis and seizures ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Conclusions Arthritis and malar rash represented the most common clinical manifestations. Male and juvenile-onset patients had a predilection toward a more severe disease. These results are in agreement with many studies conducted in the Middle East and worldwide. On the other hand, major organ involvement was exceptionally low, which is contradictory to several reports from the Middle East and across the globe.

Serum sTWEAK and FGF-23 Levels in Hemodialysis and Renal Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in serum soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) in hemodialysis (HD) patients and renal transplant recipients (RTR). METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 30 patients on chronic HD, 30 RTRs, and 30 normal controls. Biochemical factors, sTWEAK, FGF-23, and interlukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by standard methods. RESULTS: Serum levels of sTWEAK in RTRs were significantly higher than those in the HD patients (p=0.025); RTR and HD patients had significantly lower sTWEAK levels than the controls (p=0.001 and p= 0.038, respectively). Serum levels of FGF-23 in HD patients were significantly (p=0.001) higher than those in the RTR; the level was higher in both studied groups compared to that in the controls (p=0.001 for both groups). The mean serum level of IL-6 in HD was significantly higher than that in RTR patients (p=0.013). IL-6 levels in both groups were significantly higher than those in controls (p=0.001 and p= 0.012, respectively). In HD group a negative correlation was found between FGF-23 and sTWEAK (r= 0.375, p=0.041); there were also a significant correlation between FGF-23 and IL-6 (r= 0.480, p= 0.007) and between IL-6 and sTWEAK (r= 0.409, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: We found that serum sTWEAK is decreased and FGF-23 is increased in HD and RTR groups comparing with the control group. However, further studies are needed to shed light over their direct role on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular outcomes.

Serial transverse enteroplasty to facilitate enteral autonomy in selected children with short bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) was first described in 2003 as a method for lengthening and tapering of the bowel in short bowel syndrome. The aim of this multicentre study was to review the outcome of a Swedish cohort of children who underwent STEP. METHODS: All children who had a STEP procedure at one of the four centres of paediatric surgery in Sweden between September 2005 and January 2013 were included in this observational cohort study. Demographic details, and data from the time of STEP and at follow-up were collected from the case records and analysed. RESULTS: Twelve patients had a total of 16 STEP procedures; four children underwent a second STEP. The first STEP was performed at a median age of 5·8 (range 0·9-19·0) months. There was no death at a median follow-up of 37·2 (range 3·0-87·5) months and no child had small bowel transplantation. Seven of the 12 children were weaned from parenteral nutrition at a median of 19·5 (range 2·3-42·9) months after STEP. CONCLUSION: STEP is a useful procedure for selected patients with short bowel syndrome and seems to facilitate weaning from parenteral nutrition. At mid-term follow-up a majority of the children had achieved enteral autonomy. The study is limited by the small sample size and lack of a control group.

Woman abuse and pregnancy outcome among women in Khoram Abad, Islamic Republic of Iran.

We carried out a descriptive analysis on the pregnancy outcome in 313 pregnant women abused, 160 non-abused). Abuse was statistically significantly correlated with mean weight gain during pregnancy, mean frequency of the prenatal care, prolonged labour (dystocia), premature rupture of membrane, low mean birth weight and mean gestational age at birth. Given the high likelihood that a woman will access health care services during her pregnancy, physicians providing prenatal care are in a strategic position to screen for partner abuse.

Woman abuse and pregnancy outcome among women in Khoram Abad, Islamic Republic of Iran

We carried out a descriptive analysis on the pregnancy outcome in 313 pregnant women [153 abused, 160 non-abused]. Abuse was statistically significantly correlated with mean weight gain during pregnancy, mean frequency of the prenatal care, prolonged labour [dystocia], premature rupture of membrane, low mean birth weight and mean gestational age at birth. Given the high likelihood that a woman will access health care services during her pregnancy, physicians providing prenatal care are in a strategic position to screen for partner abuse

Prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common cause of disability in the elderly. It is currently recognized as a cause of secondary osteoporosis. To evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis in PD and detect its risk factors, 52 patients with PD (36 men/16 women) and 52 controls paired for age and sex were recruited. Clinical data including demography, disease duration and disease severity were collected. All subjects had bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, dorsal and lumbar spine X-ray, and biological exams (osteocalcin, CTX, parathormon). The mean age of the patients was 60.0 +/- 9.25 years [30-77], and the mean disease duration was 4.9 +/- 4.5 years [0.2-17]. Nine patients (17.3%) were osteoporotic and 28 (53.8%) osteopenic. BMD at the lumbar spine and the hip was lower among patients than controls (spine: 1.031 vs. 1.175 g/cm(2); P < 0.001; hip: 0.968 vs. 1.054; P = 0.02). PD patients with low BMD presented a more severe disease and an insufficient sun exposure and calcium intake. There was a positive statistically significant correlation between patients BMD and body mass index and negative correlation with age, severity of PD, and osteocalcin levels. The prevalence of osteoporosis/osteopenia is high in PD patients and seems related to the severity of the disease, an insufficient sun exposure and calcium intake. This osteoporosis constitutes with falls the major risk factors of fracture in PD patients.

Earthquake relief: Iranian nurses' responses in Bam, 2003, and lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: Man-made or natural disasters appear to be occurring more frequently around the world. It is important that nurses in all specialties should be prepared to care for people affected by disasters. AIM: To explore Iranian Registered Nurses' experiences in disaster relief in the Bam earthquake, Iran in 2003. METHODS: This study was qualitative with 13 participant nurses. Data were obtained through semi-structured serial interviews and analysed using the latent content method. FINDINGS: Three general themes emerged: (a) the need for previously prepared practical protocols, (b) the need for qualified and real teamworking in the situation, and (c) the need to establish periodic comprehensive training programmes in disaster relief nursing. CONCLUSION: It has become urgent for health agencies and related public services to collaborate, and for all health professionals to become knowledgeable about disaster preparedness. Crisis management, which has become more prevalent for many organizations, is an important strategic initiative for nursing, helping them provide the infrastructure to respond effectively to emergencies and unpredictable events. It is important in today's world that hospital and nursing organizations develop a strategic system to handle disaster situations.

A novel targeted T-cell modulator, efalizumab, for plaque psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Interactions between leukocyte-function-associated antigen type 1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecules are important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Efalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, binds to the alpha subunit (CD11a) of LFA-1 and inhibits the activation of T cells. METHODS: In a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, we assign 597 subjects with psoriasis to receive subcutaneous efalizumab (1 or 2 mg per kilogram of body weight per week) or placebo for 12 weeks. Depending on the response after 12 weeks, subjects received an additional 12 weeks of treatment with efalizumab or placebo. Study treatments were discontinued at week 24, and subjects were followed for an additional 12 weeks. RESULTS: At week 12, there was an improvement of 75 percent or more in the psoriasis area-and-severity index in 22 percent of the subjects who had received 1 mg of efalizumab per kilogram per week and 28 percent of those who had received 2 mg of efalizumab per kilogram per week, as compared with 5 percent of the subjects in the placebo group (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Efalizumab-treated subjects had greater improvement than those in the placebo group as early as week 4 (P<0.001). Among the efalizumab-treated subjects who had an improvement of 75 percent or more at week 12, improvement was maintained through week 24 in 77 percent of those who continued to receive efalizumab, as compared with 20 percent of those who were switched to placebo (P<0.001 for both comparisons). After the discontinuation of efalizumab at week 24, an improvement of 50 percent or more in the psoriasis area-and-severity index was maintained in approximately 30 percent of subjects during the 12 weeks of follow-up. Efalizumab was well tolerated, and adverse events were generally mild to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Efalizumab therapy resulted in significant improvements in plaque psoriasis in subjects with moderate-to-severe disease. Extending treatment from 12 to 24 weeks resulted in both maintenance and improvement of responses.