Performance of existing diagnosis/classification criteria for Behcet's disease in Iranian patients: analysis of 5666 patients and 2406 controls

Aim: To analyse the performance of existing diagnosis/classification criteria for Behcet's disease (BD) in Iranian patients. There are 13 sets: Curth (1946), Hewitt (1969), Mason and Barnes (1969), Hewitt revised (1971), Japan (1972), Hubault and Hamza (1974), O'Duffy (1974), Cheng and Zhang (1980), Dilsen (1986), Japan revised (1988), International (1990), Iran (1993), Classification Tree (1993), and Dilsen revised criteria (2000). Methods: All patients from the Behcet's Disease Registry (5666) and control patients (2406) entered the study. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated. Results: The most sensitive was Curth criteria with (99.7%), followed by Classification Tree (97.3%), Zhang (93.5%), Iran (91.4%), Japan revised (86.4%), Japan (85.3%), Dilsen (83.7%), Hubault and Hamza (81.6%), Dilsen revised (81.2%), International criteria (79.8%), Hewitt (73.8%), O'Duffy (70.7%), and Masson and Barnes (65.7%). The most specific was Masson and Barnes (99.6%), followed by the International criteria (98.3%), Dilsen revised (98.2%), O'Duffy (97.6%), Japan (97.1%), Japan revised (97%), Classification Tree (96.7%), Hewitt (95.8%), Iran (95.8%), Zhang (92.4%), Dilsen (91.4%), Hubault (90.8%), and Curth (78.6%). The most accurate criteria was Classification Tree (97.1%), followed by Curth (93.4%), Zhang (93.1%), Iran (92.7%), Japan revised (89.6%), Japan (88.8%), Dilsen revised (86.2%), Dilsen (86%), International criteria (85.3%), Hubault (84.3%), Hewitt (80.4%), O'Duffy (78.8%), and Mason and Barnes (75.8%). Discussion: Among the existing criteria, the best to classify Iranian patients is the Classification Tree. The second most accurate is Curth criteria. The difference is statistically significant. Further, Curth criteria is not optimized, having very high sensitivity and low specificity.     

Substance Use and Sexual Behavior during Incarceration among 18- to 29-Year Old Men: Prevalence and Correlates

An A-CASI survey of 197 men with a history of incarceration, ages 18–29, revealed that 50% and 17% of participants, respectively, had used substances or had sex while confined. Univariate regression analyses indicated that these two behaviors were correlated and both were associated with being older, having spent more years incarcerated, being sexual abused, and being involved with gangs and violence during incarceration. Multiple regression analyses showed that the likelihood of any substance use during incarceration was higher for men who were affiliated with a gang. Men were more likely to have had sex during incarceration if they reported having had a male sex partner in the community. The prevalence of sexual behavior also differed across sites. Findings document the occurrence of substance use and sexual behavior among incarcerated men, and highlight the need for continued research into the context of these behaviors. Project START Substudy Group: The Project START Study Group for this substudy consisted of principal investigators (PI), investigators (I), and research staff (RS) from the following institutions: Brown Medical School/Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI: Kathleen Morrow (PI), Timothy Flanigan (PI), Christine Fitzgerald (I), Jill Nealey-Moore (I), Deborah Kacanek (I), Ricky Lugo (RS), Daniel Strother (RS), Melissa Dispigno (RS), Jaclynn Jurpewski (RS), Michael Patterson (RS), Jacki Hecht (RS), Kellie Green (RS), Gina Best (RS), Meghan Woods (RS), Stephanie Paton (RS); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA: Robin MacGowan (PI), Richard J. Wolitski (PI), Lisa Belcher (I), Andrew Margolis (I), Susan Moss (I), Ann O’Leary (I), John Williamson (I); Achintya Dey (RS), Kashif Iqbal (RS); Jackson State University, Jackson, MS: John Askew (PI), Marty Fortenberry (RS), Daryl Johnson (RS), Moriba Lumumba (RS), Jerry Vardaman (RS); Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI: David Wyatt Seal (PI), Tim McAuliffe (I), Barbara Reed (I), Rodney Simms (I), Jessica Berzowski (RS), Don Bourque (RS), Jeff Buckles (RS), Mark Charles (RS), Melanie Krapf (RS), Kelly Malen (RS), Ricardo Reed (RS), Noel Rosado (RS); University of Alaska Anchorage, AK: Gloria Eldridge (PI); University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI: James Sosman (PI).     

Antimicrobial defined daily dose in neonatal population

BackgroundAntimicrobial defined daily dose (DDD), a standardized metric to assess antimicrobial consumption in adult population, has limitations hampering its use in neonatal patients. This study proposes an alternative DDD design applicable for neonates.MethodsNeonates (<1 month-old) from 6 Spanish hospitals during a 12-months period were included. Weight and weeks gestational age of each neonate were the variables collected. DDD (g) for each antimicrobial was calculated by multiplying the obtained weight times the recommended dose (mg/kg) of the antimicrobial for the most common infectious indication selected by the Delphi method.ResultsA total of 4820 neonates were included. Mean age was 36.72 weeks of gestational age and Mean weight was 2.687 kg. Standardized DDD (intravenous; oral route) for representative antimicrobials were: Amoxicillin (0.08; 0.08), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (0.27; 0.08), ampicillin (0.27; x), cloxacillin (0.13; 0.13), penicillin G sodium (0.12), cefazolin (0.13), cefuroxime (0.27; x), cefotaxime (0.27), ceftazidime (0.27), ceftriaxone (0.13), cefepime (0.27) piperacillin-tazobactam (0.54), aztreonam (0.24), azithromycin (0.03; 0.03), clindamycin (0.04; 0.04), amikacin (0.04), gentamicin (0.01), metronidazole (0.04; 0.08), ciprofloxacin (0.04; 0.05), levofloxacin (x;x), fluconazole (0.02; 0.02), itraconazole (0.01; 0.01), fosfomycin (0.27). Restricted antimicrobials: meropenem (0.11), teicoplanin (0.02), vancomycin (0.08; 0.11), linezolid (0.08; 0.08), daptomycin (x), amphotericin B liposomal (0.01).ConclusionsA useful method for antimicrobial DDD measurement in neonatology has been designed to monitor antimicrobial consumption in hospital settings. It should be validated in further studies and thereby included in the design for neonatal antimicrobial stewardship programs in the future.     

Amino acid metabolism during exercise in trained rats: the potential role of carnitine in the metabolic fate of branched-chain amino acids

The influence of endurance training and an acute bout of exercise on plasma concentrations of free amino acids and the intermediates of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism were investigated in the rat. Training did not affect the plasma amino acid levels in the resting state. Plasma concentrations of alanine (Ala), aspartic acid (Asp), asparagine (Asn), arginine (Arg), histidine (His), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), and valine (Val) were significantly lower, whereas glutamate (Glu), glycine (Gly), ornithine (Orn), tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), creatinine, urea, and ammonia levels were unchanged, after one hour of treadmill running in the trained rats. Plasma concentration of glutamine (Glu), the branched-chain keto acids (BCKA) and short-chain acyl carnitines were elevated with exercise. Ratios of plasma BCAA/BCKA were dramatically lowered by exercise in the trained rats. A decrease in plasma-free carnitine levels was also observed. These data suggest that amino acid metabolism is enhanced by exercise even in the trained state. BCAA may only be partially metabolized within muscle and some of their carbon skeletons are released into the circulation in forms of BCKA and short-chain acyl carnitines.     

Living conditions of serious chronic respiratory insufficiency patients treated at home on oxygen therapy or assisted ventilation

A study on the living conditions of patients on long-term oxygen therapy or assisted ventilation at home was conducted in France in January 1988. At that date, 13,500 patients had been handled by 30 regional associations. Twenty-four regional associations (80%) representing 11,079 patients (82%) participated in the study. A total of 8,091 questionnaires were processed, accounting for 73% of patients interviewed and 60% of the population under treatment. The following associations participated in the study: AIR Angers (J. Achard), A.V.D. Angoulême (P. Blanc), AIRA Bordeaux (J. Vergeret), SADIRTA Bordeaux (J. P. Cardinaud), AIR Caen (C. Poncey), AIRRA Clermont-Ferrand (C. Molina), C. C. O. Djon (O. Reybet-Degat), ATIRE Evreux (J. P. Selme), AGIR Grenoble (C. Barjhoux), GHAHR Le Havre (H. Duwoos), AVAD Lille (A. Mallard), ALAIR Limoges (H. Gastinne), ARARD Marseille (M. Artaud), APARD Montpellier (J. Milane), AIR Mulhouse (G. Miech), ARAIRLOR Nancy (A. Cornette), ARIRPLO Nantes (E. Chailleux), CARDIF Paris (M. Kilpa), AIRA Pau (P. Menaut), ADEP Puteaux (A. Leroy), AIR Bretagne (P. Delaval), AADAIRC Rochefort (E. Hermouet), C. D. Rouen (J. P. Stain), ADIRAL Strasbourg (P. Sauder), BAARD Toulouse (L. Lareng), ARAIR Tours (M. Lavandier).     

12种中药乙醇提取物抗惊厥作用和时间-体存生物当量的比较研究

目的 比较知母、茯苓、川芎、白胡椒、远志、酸枣仁、草果、全蝎、僵蚕、蝉衣、地龙、蜈蚣12种中草药乙醇提取物的抗惊厥作用及体存药效动力学过程.方法 采用最大电休克惊厥模型(MES),分析灌胃小鼠各药的量效和时效关系;采用药效法,运用数学模式及参数来模拟各药在体内的时间-体存生物当量(药效动力学过程).结果 12种受试中药醇提物除蜈蚣外,对MES模型均有不同程度的对抗作用,量效均呈正相关性,效能从大到小依次为:全蝎、知母、茯苓、川芎、白胡椒、远志、酸枣仁、僵蚕、地龙、草果、蝉衣、蜈蚣;效价强度由大到小依次为:全蝎、蝉衣、远志、川芎、茯苓、酸枣仁、知母、白胡椒、僵蚕、蜈蚣、地龙、草果.最低起效剂量由小到大依次为全蝎、川芎、远志、知母、茯苓、胡椒、酸枣仁、蝉衣、僵蚕、蜈蚣、草果、地龙.各药的效应达峰时间由长到短依次为:地龙、草果、远志、全蝎、蝉衣、川芎、白胡椒、知母、酸枣仁、茯苓、僵蚕、蜈蚣.通过时效消除方程预测的作用期由长到短依次为:全蝎、茯苓、川芎、远志、知母、白胡椒、酸枣仁、僵蚕、蝉衣、地龙、草果、蜈蚣.效量半衰期数值由长到短依次为:茯苓、全蝎、川芎、知母、白胡椒、远志、蝉衣、酸枣仁、地龙、草果、僵蚕、蜈蚣;消除速率常数K值由大到小依次为:地龙、蝉衣、草果、全蝎、酸枣仁、白胡椒、知母、远志、川芎、茯苓、僵蚕、蜈蚣.结论 12种受试中药醇提物除蜈蚣外,对MES模型均有对抗作用,量效均呈正相关性,其中全蝎、知母、茯苓、川芎作用较强,且全蝎的效价强度最大.全蝎、知母、茯苓、川芎不但抗MES作用强,而且体存药效动力学好.     

常见非发酵菌的耐药性分析

目的 了解常见非发酵菌的临床分布及耐药情况，指导临床合理使用抗菌药物。方法 2003年1月～2004年12月临床分离的铜绿假单胞菌281株、不动杆菌属190株及嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌63株，用Kirby—Bauer法进行药敏试验。结果 591株非发酵菌中以铜绿假单胞菌（47．5％）、不动杆菌属（32．1％）及嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌（10．7％）为主；主要分布于痰液（62．4％）、皮肤软组织创面分泌物（22．7％）中；耐药性分析显示铜绿假单胞菌对亚胺培南的敏感性最高（92．9％），其它依次为头孢他啶（78．3％）、环丙沙星（78．1％）、头孢吡肟（74．4％）、阿米卡星（70．5％）、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦（70．1％）、头孢哌酮-巴坦（67．9％）、哌拉西林（60．3％）、氨曲南（57．5％）、头孢哌酮（57．1％）、替卡西林-克拉维酸（55．7％）；不动杆菌属对亚胺培南的敏感性也最高（95．7％），其它依次为头孢哌酮-舒巴坦（66．7％）、头孢吡肟（59．3％）、替卡西林-克拉维酸（57．4％）、阿米卡星（55．0％）、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦（51．6％）；嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌对头孢哌酮-舒巴坦的敏感性最高（75．6％），其它依次为头孢他啶（75．5％）、复方磺胺甲嗯唑（74．5％）、替卡西林-克拉维酸（73．7％）、环丙沙星（69．8％）、头孢吡肟（63．4％）、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦（56．8％），对包括亚胺培南在内的其它常用抗菌药物均高度耐药。结论 细菌耐药有一定的地区性，定期对本地区细菌耐药性进行监测，对合理使用抗菌药物、减少耐药菌株的产生和流行有重要的临床指导价值。     

影响慢性重型肝炎预后相关指标的多因素回归分析

目的研究影响慢性重型肝炎病情的危险因素与预后的相关性。方法选择我院感染科收治的慢性乙型重型肝炎患者28例,分病情好转组和恶化组。分别观察两组患者的年龄,并发症发生情况(腹水、原发性细菌性腹膜炎、消化道出血、肝性脑病、肝肾综合征),相关实验室检查指标(部分凝血酶原时间(PT)、凝血酶原活动度(PTA)、国际标准化指数(INR)、凝血因子V(FV:C)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)、D二聚体(D-D)、总胆固醇(TC)、总胆红素(TBil)、白蛋白(ALB)、前白蛋白(PRE-A)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、血清尿素(BUN)、血肌酐(SCR)、血小板(PLT)。对以上各指标进行Logistic单因素和非条件多因素分析。结果多因素分析后两组间在胆固醇(TC)、凝血因子V(FV:C)和腹水三个指标上有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论胆固醇(TC)、凝血因子V(FV:C)和腹水可作为慢性乙型重型肝炎预后的判定指标,对指导临床有重要价值。     

非酒精性脂肪肝与生长激素相关性研究

目的 探讨非酒精性脂肪肝（NAFLD）与生长激素（GH）的关系。方法入选NAFLD组38例,非NAFLD组42例．测定GH、腰围（Wc）、空腹血糖（FPG）、空腹胰岛素（Fins）、总胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL—C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL—C）、高敏c反应蛋白（hs—CRP）,谷氨酸氨基转移酶（AIJrr）、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）水平,计算体质量指数（BMI）、胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA—IR）。结果NAFLD组GH、HDL—C水平显著低于非NAFLD组（P〈0．05）;NAFLD组BMI、WC、FPG、Fins、HOMA—IR、TG、hsCRP、AIJT、GGT水平显著高于非NAFLD组（P〈0．05）。GH、HDL—C与NAFLD呈负相关,WC、BMI、FPG、Fins、HOMA—IR、TG、hsCRP、ALT、GGT与NAFLD呈正相关。结论GH与NAFLD密切相关,低水平CH可能是NAFLD危险因素,与肥胖、胰岛素抵抗、血脂紊乱等共同参与了NAFLD的发生与发展。     

肺黏膜相关淋巴组织淋巴瘤临床特征分析

目的：提高肺黏膜相关淋巴组织淋巴瘤诊治水平。方法回顾性分析江西省人民医院及南昌大学第二附属医院自2005年1月至2015年1月确诊的8例肺黏膜相关淋巴组织淋巴瘤的临床表现、影像学特点、诊断手段、误诊情况、治疗及预后。结果8例肺黏膜相关淋巴组织淋巴瘤中男6例,女2例,年龄38~75岁,中位年龄65岁。主要症状：咳嗽(5例)、咳痰(4例)、发热(2例)、胸闷(4例)、乏力(3例)、消瘦(3例),无症状2例。胸部 CT 表现：双肺分布5例,单肺分布3例,实变影5例,肿块及结节影4例,斑片状浸润影3例,支气管充气征5例,钙化1例,空洞2例。确诊方法：经气管镜活检1例,CT 引导下经皮肺穿刺5例,外科手术2例。误诊分析：5例误诊为细菌性肺炎,1例误诊为肺真菌病,1例误诊为肺癌,1例误诊为肺转移癌。治疗及预后：2例外科手术患者术后未行放化疗,4例转入血液内科行化疗(CHOP 方案),2例放弃治疗。8例患者随访时间2~105个月,2例死亡,6例存活。结论肺黏膜相关淋巴组织淋巴瘤临床表现不典型,容易误诊,诊断需要组织病理活检。     

Hemodynamic response to isometric exercise in elderly subjects

The haemodynamic responses to isometric exercise (handgrip) performed during right cardiac catheterization were tested in 9 elderly patients (1 female, 8 males) with average age of 67.8 +/- 2.3 years, without clinical and instrumental signs of cardiovascular disease. The parameters tested before and after handgrip were: heart rate (FC), systolic blood pressure (PAS), diastolic blood pressure (PAD), mean blood pressure (PAM), cardiac output (PC), cardiac index (IC), systolic index (IS), mean pulmonary pressure (PPM), end-diastolic pulmonary pressure (PPTD), systemic arterial resistance (RST), pulmonary arterial resistance (RPT), stroke volume (GS), left ventricular systolic stress index (ILS). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Student test. Stress produced a highly significant increase (p less than 0.001) of PPM (+28%) of PPTD (+ 33.1%), a modestly significant increase (p less than 0.01) of PAD (+ 15.6%), PAM (+ 18.2%), ILS (+ 24%,), RPT (+ 25%), a weakly significant increase (p less than 0.05) of PAS (+ 20%), RST (+ 15.6%). No significant variation attributable to FC, IC, IS, GS was observed. Our subjects presented a reduced tolerance to isometric exercise.     

Distribution of beta-thalassemia mutations in the northern provinces of Iran

Beta-Thalassemia (thal) is one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders in Iran. There are more than two million carriers of beta-thal and over 15,000 people affected with beta-thal major who live in Iran. Prevalent mutations were identified by examining genomic DNAs isolated from 392 blood samples of beta-thal carriers from three northern provinces of Iran. Furthermore, 172 pregnant women were analyzed from the 196 couples who requested pregnant diagnosis for beta-thal. Allele identification was carried out using routine reverse dot-blot, amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS), and genomic sequencing. The most common mutation, IVS-II-1 (GA), is followed, in order of frequency, by codon 30 (GC), frameshift codons (FSC) 8,9 (+G), FSC 22/23/24 (-AAGTTGG), IVS-I-110 (GA), IVS-I-5 (GC), IVS-II-745 (CG), IVS-I-2 (TC), FSC 8 (-AA), IVS-I,3'-end (-25 bp), IVS-I-1 (GA), FSC 36/37 (-T), IVS-I-6 (TC), FSC 5 (-CT), -28 (AC), codon 37 (GA), IVS-II-2,3 (+11/-2), -30 (TA), and -88 (CA). We have also revealed the existence of five new mutations from northern Iran, one of which (codon 37) is the first reported for Iran. Furthermore, the rate of unknown mutations is significantly reduced in our study (about 6%). These results could help with establishing a center for prenatal diagnosis, prevention, and control of thalassemia in the northern provinces of Iran.     

Combining beta-adrenergic and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma stimulation improves lipoprotein composition in healthy moderately obese subjects

Current pharmacological regimens for hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are limited to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha activating fibrates, niacin, and statins. This pilot study examined the impact of simultaneous stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate with a beta-adrenergic agonist and PPARgamma with pioglitazone (PIO) on lipoprotein composition in moderately obese, healthy subjects. Subjects were treated with PIO (45 mg) to stimulate PPARgamma or a combination of ephedrine (25 mg TID), a beta-agonist, with caffeine (200 mg TID), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (ephedrine plus caffeine), or both for 16 weeks. Lipoproteins were separated by gradient ultracentrifugation into very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and 3 HDL (L, M, and D) subfractions. Apolipoproteins were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. PIO alone reduced the core triglyceride (TG) content relative to cholesterol ester (CE) in VLDL (-40%), IDL (-25%), and HDL-M (-38%). Ephedrine plus caffeine alone reduced LDL CE (-13%), phospholipids (-9%), and apolipoprotein (apo) B (-13%); increased HDL-M LpA-I (HDL containing apoA-I without apoA-II, 28%), CE/TG (23%), and CE/apoA-I (8%) while reducing apoA-II (-10%); and increased HDL-L LpA-I (29%). Combination therapy reduced total plasma TG (-28%), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C, -10%), apoB (-16%), apoB/apoA-I ratio (-21%) while increasing HDL cholesterol (HDL-C, 21%), total plasma apoA-I (12%), LpA-I (43%), and apoC-I (26%). It also reduced VLDL total mass (-34%) and apoC-III (-39%), LDL CE (-13%), apoB (-13%), and total mass (-11%). Combination therapy increased HDL-L CE/TG (32%), apoC-I (30%), apoA-I (56%), and LpA-I (70%), as well as HDL-M CE (35%), phospholipids (24%), total mass (19%), apoC-I (25%), apoA-I (18%), and LpA-I (56%). In conclusion, simultaneous beta-adrenergic and PPARgamma activation produced beneficial effects on VLDL, LDL, HDL-L, and HDL-M. Perhaps the most important impact of combination therapy was dramatic increases in LpA-I and apoC-I in HDL-L and HDL-M, which were much greater than the sum of the monotherapies. Because LpA-I appears to be the most efficient mediator of reverse-cholesterol transport and a major negative risk factor for cardiovascular disease, this combination therapy may provide very effective treatment of atherosclerosis.     

Lymphoid nodules and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in bone marrow biopsies

Out of 2,474 bone marrow biopsies we have observed 330 cases (13.3%) with presence of lymphoid nodules (LN). LN were frequent in old age (24.6% over 80 years), in females (17%) and in some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (73.7% of the cases), partial aplasia (34%), hypersplenism (30.4%), hemopoietic dysplasia (25%), chronic renal failure (20.4%), polycythemia vera (20.2%), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (18.8%), acute leukemia (17.7%). Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the bone marrow was found especially in systemic autoimmune diseases (26.3%), hypersplenism (9.8%), preleukemia (7.3%) and acute leukemia (4.2%). The presence of excessive medullary LN could indicate a bone marrow microenvironment damage, possibly of autoimmune origin.     

Clinical Value of Routine Isoamylase Analysis of Hyperamylasemia

To study incidence and cause of hyperamylasemia in various diseases, serum amylase was determined in 1371 consecutive patients and subsequent isoamylase analysis was carried out in 91 hyperamylasemic sera. Hyperamylasemia was observed in various diseases: acute pancreatitis (5/5), chronic pancreatitis (0/3), mumps (3/3), cerebrovascular diseases (2/39), respiratory diseases (6/69), heart diseases (5/89), liver diseases (16/101), cholelithiasis (0/13), diabetes mellitus (2/66), peptic ulcer (0/46), other digestive diseases (0/33), malignant tumor (9/249), renal failure (21/25), intraabdominal surgery (9/35), extraabdominal surgery (2/20), trauma (1/23), and miscellaneous (10/552). Salivary type hyperamylasemia due to dominant increase of salivary type isoamylase occurred in over half of the hyperamylasemic patients. Knowledge of hyperamylasemia in various diseases and routine isoamylase analysis of hyperamylasemic sera would enhance diagnostic accuracy and exclude unnecessary treatment of pancreatitis solely because of the presence of hyperamylasemia.     

Treatment of anaerobic pulmonary infections; carbenicillin compared to clindamycin and gentamicin.

Twenty-three patients with anaerobic infections of the lung were treated with either two antibiotics, clindamycin and gentamicin (11 patients) or with a single antibiotic, carbenicillin (12 patients). Cultures were obtained prior to therapy, either by transtracheal needle aspiration (17 patients) or thoracocentesis (six patients). Anaerobic bacteria were found in all. Fifteen patients had aerobic and facultative bacteria in addition. The anerobic isolates were peptostreptococci (12), peptococci (12), Bacteroides organisms (eight), clostridia (three), actinomycetes (two), eubacteria (one), and fusobacteria (one). Aerobes included streptococci (nine), enterococci (seven), Neisseria organisms (two), Klebsiella organisms (one), Citrobacter organisms (one), Pseudomonas organisms (one), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (two), and Nocardia (one). The two patients with pulmonary tuberculosis with anaerobic and superinfection received antituberculosis chemotherapy in addition. Therapeutic response was considered excellent in both groups. This suggests that carbenicillin may be used as a single antibiotic in the treatment of anaerobic and mixed infections of the lung.     

Malignant lymphoma-associated autoimmune diseases--a descriptive epidemiological study

Lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune diseases have some common aspects in their clinical appearance. We reviewed 940 patient charts with malignant lymphomas to assess the rate of associated autoimmune diseases. Of 421 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients (230 males, 191 females), 32 (7.6%) had an autoimmune disease (26 females, six males, mean age 48.3 years). The most common diagnosis was Sj?gren's syndrome. The other cases were autoimmune skin diseases (5), thyroiditis (3), polymyositis (2), scleroderma (2), other musculoskeletal disorders (2), rheumatoid arthritis (1), vasculitis (1), undifferentiated collagenosis (1), colitis ulcerosa (1), autoimmune hepatitis (1), Addison's disease (1), and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (1). Of 519 Hodgkin's lymphoma patients (308 males, 211 females), an associated autoimmune disease occurred in 45 (8.6%) (25 females, 20 males, mean age 39.2 years). In 31 cases, we found autoimmune thyroid disorders, then came glomerulonephritis (3), immune thrombocytopenia (3), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (2), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (1), seronegative spondylarthritis (1), systemic lupus erythematosus (1), mixed connective tissue disease (1), scleroderma (1), and vasculitis (1). We also analyzed histology, choice of treatment, and sequence of appearance of the disease types. We found a difference between NHL and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, since in NHL autoimmunity - mostly from Sj?gren's syndrome - preceded the lymphoma diagnosis (70%), but in Hodgkin's the autoimmunity developed mainly after the treatment of malignancy. The relatively high prevalence of autoimmune diseases in malignant lymphomas has several explanations. Clinicians have to consider autoimmunity when treating lymphoproliferative disorders.     

Human leukocyte antigen profile in the Zaboli ethnic group living in the South-East region of Iran

The human leukocyte antigen has become a key component in investigating the genetic relationships between populations. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of HLA class I and II alleles among Zaboli ethnic group of South-east Iran to establish a database for further investigations on ancestry and the genetic factors contributing to complex diseases in this region.Unrelated individuals from the Southeast geographic location throughout Iran were serologically typed using standard microcytotoxicity assays with commercial and local trays. The ethnic background of each individual was self-defined. HLA profiles were determined in 41 Zaboli populations. The most frequent class I alleles of the Zaboli ethnic group being the following: HLA-A1 (34.1%), -A2 (58.5%), -A11 (29.3%), -A24 (23.9%), -B5 (70.7%), -B16 (26.8%), and -Cw4 (24.4%). The class II alleles more frequently observed in this group were HLA-DR1 (26.8%), -DR2 (26.8%), -DR3 (31.7%), -DR4 (29.3%), -DR7 (24.4%), -DR8 (22%), -DR11 (48.8%), -DRw52 (73.2%), -DRw53 (53.7%), -DQ1 (53.7%), -DQ2 (31.7%), and -DQ3 (29.3%). This report utilized a first study of HLA class I and II typed individuals, from widely dispersed areas of Iran. This will help in studies related to disease associations and cadaver organ allocation programmes.