Renal biopsy findings in Iran: case series report from a referral kidney center

Background  

Several registries and single centers have reported the results of their renal biopsies from different parts of the world. As there are only few data regarding the epidemiology of glomerulonephritides in Iran, this study was conducted to determine the results of renal biopsy findings during the last 10 years in our center.     

Stiff person syndrome

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare disorder, characterised by fluctuating rigidity and stiffness of the axial and proximal lower limb muscles, with superimposed painful spasms and continuous motor unit activity on electromyography. Although rare in general neurology practice, once observed it is unforgettable. The general neurologist may see only one or two cases during his or her career and as such it remains underdiagnosed. Left untreated, SPS symptoms can progress to cause significant disability. Patients have a poor quality of life and an excess rate of comorbidity and mortality. The severity of symptoms and lack of public awareness of the condition create anxiety and uncertainty for people with the disease. This review aims to raise awareness of SPS and to improve the likelihood of its earlier diagnosis and treatment.     

Comparison of cell wall proteins in putative Candida albicans & Candida dubliniensis by using modified staining method & SDS-PAGE

Background

Candida species are among the most common causes of opportunistic fungal diseases. Among Candida species, Candida albicans is responsible for most infections. Having many strains, C. albicans is very polymorph. C. dubliniensis is very similar to albicans species both morphologically and physiologically. For an infection to occur, cell wall proteins play an important role as they enable yeast to adhere to host cells and begin pathogenesis. Therefore, we decided to extract these proteins and examine them through common molecular methods of protein analysis including SDS-PAGE.

Methods

Initially cell wall proteins of two C. albicans strains (CBS 562 and PTCC6027) and one C. dubliniensis strain (CBS7987) were extracted by using a solution of beta-mercaptoethanol and ammonium carbonate. After dialysis against Tris-HCL buffer, SDS gel electrophoresis was performed on the proteins extract. Bands were then visualized by using three different staining methods among which one method provided improved detection.

Results

By using Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining method, proteins with molecular weight of 42, 66.2 and 200 kDa were detected. By using Silver staining method, proteins with molecular weight of 21.5, 28.5 and 37 kDa were detected. However, using combined Coomassie Brilliant Blue & Sliver staining method visualized more bands resulting in improved detection.

Conclusion

To answer many existing questions about fungal diseases, fungi cell wall proteins are necessary to be examined. To commence such examinations, a simple step may be an SDS-PAGE performance on as many strains as possible. A combined staining method can enhance bands detection.     

Prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus infection among injecting drug users in Tehran

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus infection among injecting drug users in a community-based setting in Tehran, Iran. In October 2004, injecting drug users were recruited from a drop-in centre and neighboring parks and streets in a drug-populated neighborhood in Tehran. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and a sample of oral mucosal transudate was collected for detection of HIV and HCV antibodies. Overall, 105 of 202 participants (52.0%) were found to be positive for HCV-antibody testing. After adjustment for the basic demographic characteristics, the prevalence of HCV infection was found to be associated with length of drug injection (more than 10 years) [odds ratio (OR), 3.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.43-7.38], length of lifetime incarcerations (more than a year) (OR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.68-7.06), and a history of being tattooed inside prison (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.06-3.62). High prevalence of HCV infection and its association with incarceration-related exposures are important implications for harm reduction initiatives for drug using inmates in Iran. While prevention interventions for drug using inmates are being expanded in Iran, it is important that high prevalence of HCV infection be taken into consideration in order to control further transmission of this infection.     

Early initiation of sexual activity: a risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and unwanted pregnancy among university students in China

Background  

To explore any association between the timing of the initiation of sexual activity and sexual behaviors and risks among university students in China.     

HIV-related risk behaviours and the correlates among rickshaw pullers of Kamrangirchar, Dhaka, Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study using probability sampling

Background  

National HIV serological and behavioural surveillance of Bangladesh repeatedly demonstrated a very high proportion of rickshaw pullers in Dhaka city, having sex with female sex workers (FSWs) and using illicit substances. However, no study has been conducted to identify the correlates of having sex with FSWs among this population. This study aimed to describe behavioural profile of rickshaw pullers in Dhaka city using probability samples and to identify the correlates for having sex with FSWs in order to focus HIV prevention intervention.     

Aligned 3D human aortic smooth muscle tissue via layer by layer technique inside microchannels with novel combination of collagen and oxidized alginate hydrogel

Tissue engineering of the small diameter blood vessel medial layer has been challenging. Recreation of the circumferentially aligned multilayer smooth muscle tissue has been one of the major technical difficulties. Some research has utilized cyclic stress to align smooth muscle cells (SMCs) but due to the long time conditioning needed, it was not possible to use primary human cells because of expeditious senescence occurred . We demonstrate rapid buildup of a homogeneous relatively thick (30-40 μm) aligned smooth muscle tissue via layer by layer (LBL) technique within microchannels and a soft cell-adhesive hydrogel. Using a microchannelled scaffold with gapped microwalls, two layers of primary human SMCs separated by an interlayer hydrogel were cultured to confluence within the microchannels. The SMCs aligned along the microchannels because of the physically constraining microwalls. A novel double layered gel consisting of a mixture of pristine and oxidized alginate hydrogel coated with collagen was designed to place between each layer of cells, leading to a thicker tissue in a shorter time. The SMCs penetrated the soft thin interlayer hydrogel within 6 days of seeding of the 2nd cell layer so that the entire construct became more or less homogeneously populated by the SMCs. The unique LBL technique applied within the micropatterned scaffold using a soft cell-adhesive gel interlayer allows rapid growth and confluence of SMCs on 2D surface but at the same time aligns the cells and builds up multiple layers into a 3D tissue. This pseudo-3D buildup method avoids the typical steric resistance of hydrogel embedding.     

Positive and negative social exchanges and disability in later life: an investigation of trajectories of change

OBJECTIVES: Various aspects of one's social ties are thought to influence the onset, progression, and course of disability in older adulthood. Although the longitudinal course of social ties and physical disability is likely to be marked by fluctuations over time and intraindividual variation, few studies have explored how patterns of change in positive and negative social exchanges relate to patterns of change in disability across time. The current study, therefore, examined the extent to which distinct longitudinal trajectories of positive and negative exchanges were associated with patterns of physical disability. METHODS: We followed a sample of 482 community-dwelling older adults with little to no disability at baseline for 2 years. RESULTS: Results identified multiple, distinct trajectory groups for positive and negative exchanges and disability. Latent class growth analyses revealed that individuals with chronically high or low positive exchanges were likely to experience low and increasing levels of disability. With respect to negative exchanges, individuals with moderately increasing negative exchanges showed patterns of increasing disability and disability remission, whereas chronically low or absent negative exchanges were associated with low and increasing levels of disability. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight the importance of evaluating multiple trajectories of change in older adults' social exchanges and disability.     

A case report of extralobar pulmonary sequestration in a dog

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital anomaly in the veterinary literature. This malformation is characterized by a cystic mass of non-functioning primitive lung tissue that does not communicate with the tracheobronchial tree or with the pulmonary arteries. This article describes gross and histopathological characteristics of extralobar pulmonary sequestration in a dog. Grossly, a mass was observed in the left side of the thoracic cavity, closed to the caudal lobes of the lung, without communication with the tracheobronchial tree and the pulmonary arteries that was separated by pleural covering. Histopathologic examination showed emphysematous alveoli and bronchi, hypertrophy of smooth muscles and presence of the undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue. Therefore, based on microscopic findings, extralobar pulmonary sequestration was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of extralobar pulmonary sequestration in dog.