Efficacy of cotrimoxazole and rifampin for 6 or 8 weeks of therapy in childhood brucellosis

From March 1998 to September 2001, 64 children and from October 2001 to December 2004, 66 children < or = 15 years with brucellosis in Babol, Iran, were treated with cotrimoxazole and rifampin for 6 or 8 weeks, respectively. Cure rate for 6 weeks was 89.1% and for 8 weeks it was 95.5%. Six weeks of therapy with cotrimoxazole plus rifampin is sufficient for treatment of childhood brucellosis.     

Lactase genetic polymorphisms and coeliac disease in children: a cohort study

Background: Lactase activity declines during childhood in the majority of human populations leading to adult-type hypolactasia (AtH). C/T-13910 and G/A-22018 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been suggested to be associated with AtH in different human populations. Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition characterized by damage to intestinal cells leading to ultimate deterioration.

Aim: This study investigated the association between coeliac disease (CD) and SNPs leading to AtH in children from North India.

Subjects and methods: Intestinal biopsies and saliva samples were obtained from 52 children with CD diagnosis and 102 control subjects. Biopsies were assayed for disaccharidase activities and samples were genotyped for given SNPs.

Results: Prevalence of C/C and G/G genotypes of AtH was almost equal in the CD and control group. The CD group had low lactase activity compared to the control group, irrespective of genotype at C/T -13910 and G/A -22018 SNPs (p?p?Conclusion: There appears to be no significant correlation between C/T -13910 or G/A -22018 SNPs of AtH and CD. Children with C/C or G/G genotype of AtH may not be at greater risk of CD.     

Association of optical cataract indices with cataract severity and visual function

International Ophthalmology - The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between subjective and optical measurements used during cataract evaluation, including the iTrace...     

Bone mineral density accrual in students with autism spectrum disorders: Effects of calcium intake and physical training

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of weight bearing exercise and calcium intake on bone mineral density (BMD) of students with autism spectrum disorders. For this reason 60 boy students with autism disorder (age 8-10 years old) were assigned to four groups with no differences in age, BMD, calcium intake, and physical activity: exercise groups with or without calcium supplementation (Ex+Ca+ and Ex+Ca−) and non-exercise groups with or without calcium supplementation (Ex−Ca+ and Ex−Ca−). The intervention involved 50 min of weight bearing exercise performed 3 sessions a week and/or the addition of dietary calcium rich food using enriched cow milk with vitamin D containing 250 mg calcium per serving, over 6 months. Paired-samples t test, one way ANOVA analysis, and Tukey tests were used to determine the main and combined effects of training and calcium on BMD. All groups showed greater femoral neck BMD after 6 months. The increase in femoral neck BMD in the Ex+Ca+ group was 14.04% greater than increase in the Ex+Ca− group (P < 0.05). Apparently, the effect of training was greater than calcium intake because the Ex+Ca− group achieved 4.71% greater BMD than Ex−Ca+ group (P < 0.05). In this study, all experimental groups had greater BMD than the control group (Ex−Ca−) (P < 0.05).In these participants, additional weight bearing exercise and calcium supplementation resulted in a greater increase in BMD than controls at the loaded site (femoral neck). These results help to provide more evidence for public health organizations to deal with both exercise and nutrition issues in children with autism disorder for the achievement and of peak BMD.