Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Relation to disease activity,functional status and fatigue

Background

There is risk of premature atherosclerosis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients which predisposes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood. This can be assessed by flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) of the arterial wall and by soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1).

Spatial and statistical analyses of the relations between vegetation cover and incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic province,northeast of Iran

Objective

To investigate the relations between the vegetation cover and occurrence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Golestan province during 2010-2012.

Methods

Data of monthly CL incidence and remote sensing normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer sensor were used in the study. Pearson''s correlation analysis was conducted to examine the type and strength of relationships between the spatially averaged NDVI variables (i.e. minimum, maximum and mean NDVI values) and CL incidence in township level. Spearman rank correlation was carried out to explain associations between the monthly CL incidence and NDVI variables at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months lagged periods. Locations of CL cases at village level were geocoded and compared with frequency of CL cases in each NDVI-derived vegetation categories.

Results

Pearson''s analysis revealed significant associations between the NDVI variables and CL incidence at the township level (P<0.05). Results of Spearman analysis indicated that the highest correlations between NDVI variables and monthly CL incidence were established when the NDVI time-series lagged the CL incidence series NDVI variables. Purely spatial analysis demonstrated that despite majority of cases occurred at partially-vegetated areas, the possibility of CL occurrence was higher in bare soil areas by taking into account area of each vegetation zones.

Conclusions

lack or low vegetation cover is a major determinant of CL frequencies in Golestan province. The decrease of the mean vegetation density in townships is accompanied by increase of CL occurrence and vice versa.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activity of some new N‐aryl‐N’‐(2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)‐benzohydrazonamides

A green approach was developed for synthesizing a series of (isatin‐3‐ylidene)‐hydrazonamides 3a–j  from the reaction between isatin, (isatin‐3‐ylidene)malononitrile, or 2‐cyano‐2‐(2‐isatin‐3‐ylidene)acetate and benzohydrazonamide in ethyl acetate solutions at ambient temperature. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed on the basis of spectral data. In this eco‐friendly medium, a variety of (isatin‐3‐ylidene)hydrazonamides were obtained free of catalyst in good to excellent yields. All the synthesized products were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Among the compounds tested, 3b and 3d exhibited good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas others responded moderately with reference to the standard drug ciprofloxacin.     

Fixed-dose combination of empagliflozin and linagliptin for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The present meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin + linagliptin combination compared with either monotherapy [n=6 randomized controlled trials; 2857 adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on diet + exercise ± metformin; 39.7% women; mean age: 54.6–59.9 years]. The combination of empagliflozin 10 mg + linagliptin 5 mg led to significantly greater reductions in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) compared with either drug alone over 24 weeks: weighted mean difference [WMD; −0.72%, 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.04, −0.40], and fasting plasma glucose (−1.60 mmol/L 95% CI: −2.21, −1.00). Similar results were observed when empagliflozin 25 mg + linagliptin 5 mg was compared with linagliptin 5 mg monotherapy or with empagliflozin 10 or 25 mg monotherapy. Patients with T2DM treated with the drug combination had more than three times higher likelihood of achieving HbA1c <7% than those on either monotherapy. Weight reduction was significantly greater in the combination group only when compared with linagliptin monotherapy. Safety profile was similar between combination treatment and monotherapies. Overall, the empagliflozin + linagliptin combination had superior efficacy and similar safety in achieving euglycaemia compared with either monotherapy. This combination, administered once daily, has the potential to reduce regimen complexity, enhance adherence and improve outcomes in clinical practice.