Assessing the Biodiversity of Wood Decay Fungi in Northern Forests of Iran

Fungal diversity in the Hyrcanian forests can greatly vary due to diverse ecological conditions. The scope of the present research was to investigate the diversity of wood decay fungi at three sites in the northern forests of Iran. Fruiting bodies of fungi were collected in three plots dominated by Quercus castaneifolia C.A.M. (oak) and Carpinus betulus L. (hornbeam) in the Hyrcanian Forest. As many as 19 and 13 taxa were found on hornbeam and oak, respectively. The identification of these fungi revealed Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. and Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. as highly abundant on hornbeam and oak, respectively. Highest fungal abundance was observed at an altitude range of 1150-1200 meters above sea level. Diversity of macro-fungi was determined and the mean Shannon diversity index was found to be 2.52 and 1.94 for hornbeam and oak, respectively, and mean equitability was calculated as 0.84 and 0.73 for hornbeam and oak, respectively. There were no significant differences in the Shannon Diversity Index or equitability. Overall, current work showed that most of the identified fungi were classified as white rot fungi.     

Factors influencing the provision of oral hygiene care following stroke: an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Objectives: This study aimed to examine “intention to” and “performance of” oral hygiene care to stroke patients using the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Materials and methods: A large scale survey of 13 centers in Malaysia was conducted involving 806 nurses in relation to oral hygiene care intentions and practices. In addition, information on personal and environmental factors was collected.

Results: The response rate was 95.6% (778/806). The domains of the Theory of Planned Behavior were significantly associated with general intention to perform oral hygiene care: attitudes (β?=?0.21, p?p?p?p?<0.01), controlling for other factors. Knowledge scores, training, access to oral hygiene guidelines and kits, as well as working ward type were identified as key factors associated with intention and practice of oral hygiene care.

Conclusion: The Theory of Planned Behavior provides understanding of “intention to” and “performance of” oral hygiene care to stroke patients. Several provider and environmental factors were also associated with intentions and practices. This has implications for understanding and improving the implementation of oral hygiene care in stroke rehabilitation.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Oral hygiene care is crucial for stroke patients as it can prevent oral health problems and potentially life threatening events (such as aspiration pneumonia).

• Despite oral hygiene care being relative simple to perform, it is often neglected during stroke rehabilitation.

• A large-scale national survey was conducted to understand “intentions to” and “performance of” oral hygiene care to stroke patients using the Theory of Planned Behavior social cognition model.

• These study findings may have implications and use in promoting oral hygiene care to stroke patients:i) by understanding the pathways and influences to perform oral hygiene care.ii) to conduct health promotion and health education based on behavioral models such as Theory of Planned Behavior.

     

Interleukin-18 Antagonism Improved Histopathological Conditions of Malaria Infection in Mice

Background: Interleukin 18 (IL-18) exerts pleiotropic roles in many inflammatory-related diseases including parasitic infection. Previous studies have demonstrated the promising therapeutic potential of modulating IL-18 bioactivity in various pathological conditions. However, its involvement during malaria infection has yet to be established. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of modulating IL-18 on the histopathological conditions of malaria infected mice. Methods: Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in male ICR mice was used as a model for malaria infection. Modulation of IL-18 release was carried out by treatment of malarial mice with recombinant mouse IL-18 (rmIL-18) and recombinant mouse IL-18 Fc chimera (rmIL-18Fc) intravenously. Histopathological study and analysis were performed on major organs including brain, liver, spleen, lungs and kidney. Results: Treatment with rmIL-18Fc resulted in significant improvements on the histopathological conditions of the organs in malaria-infected mice. Conclusion: IL-18 is an important mediator of malaria pathogenesis and targeting IL-18 could prove beneficial in malaria-infected host.Key Words: Malaria, Interleukin-18, Plasmodium berghei, Histopathology     

EUS-guided FNA of the left adrenal gland in patients with thoracic or GI malignancies

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic yield and safety of trans-gastric EUS-guided FNA of the left adrenal gland are not well defined. METHODS: All patients with an enlarged left adrenal gland on abdominal imaging and known or suspected malignancy referred to two EUS centers over a 3-year period were included in this study. EUS-guided FNA was performed on an outpatient basis by one of 4 experienced endosonographers. RESULTS: Thirty-one consecutive patients (21 men, 10 women; mean age 64.8 years) were evaluated. Tissue adequate for interpretation was obtained in all patients; no attempt to obtain tissue was unsuccessful. The median number of needle passes was 4.5 (range 1-8). No immediate complications were encountered. EUS-guided FNA confirmed malignant left adrenal involvement in 42% (13/31) of the patients. Patients with malignant left adrenal masses were more likely to have known cancer at another site (OR 12.0: 95% CI[1.6, 87.9]). Patients with benign masses were more likely to have preservation of the normal sonographic appearance of the adrenal gland ("seagull" configuration) compared with those with malignant masses (OR 9.8: 95% CI[1.9, 51.0]). The accuracy of EUS imaging based on size (> or =3 cm) alone was 81%: 95% CI[63, 93]). Of the patients with malignant adrenal masses, 85% (11/13) died or their clinical condition deteriorated during follow-up, while 15% (2/13) were being treated and were stable clinically. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided FNA of the left adrenal gland is a minimally invasive, safe, and highly accurate method that confirms or excludes malignant adrenal involvement in patients with thoracic or GI malignancies.     

Anemia in remote interior communities in Sarawak,Malaysia

A cross-sectional survey of 365 individuals, (51.9% males, 48.1% females; ages 5-85 years), from five remote interior communities in upper Rejang River basin Sarawak, Malaysia, found 24.4% were anemic. The range and mean of Hb concentration in male and female were: 7.2-17.0 mg/ml and 13.7 mg/ml and 7.9-15.7 mg/ml and 12.9 mg/ml respectively. Amongst the five tribes surveyed, the prevalence of anemia (range: 10.6-46.7%), was higher among the Penans (46.7%), Kenyahs (31.1%), Kajangs (27.8%) and Kayans (19.3%), than amongst the Ukits (10.6%). Anemia is more common among males >40 years and among adolescents and young reproductive females, as well as elderly females > 61 years old. Of the 83 anemic individuals, 6.0% and 3.6% had Trichuris trichiura or hookworm respectively; however there is no clear association with intestinal worm infection.     

Interventricular mechanical dyssynchrony: a novel marker of cardiac events in Brugada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Risk stratification in Brugada syndrome is controversial, especially in asymptomatic individuals. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate tissue Doppler echocardiography in risk stratification of Brugada syndrome. METHODS: Patients with Brugada ECG pattern were enrolled in the study. Left ventricular (LV) preejection period was defined as the time interval between onset of the QRS complex and onset of LV lateral wall systolic wave. Right ventricular (RV) preejection period was defined as the time interval between onset of the QRS complex and onset of RV lateral wall systolic wave. Delay in onset of contraction between RV and LV was defined as RV preejection time - LV preejection time [PET((RV-LV))]. RESULTS: Type 1, 2, and 3 Brugada ECG pattern was found in 30, 56, and 31 patients, respectively. PET((RV-LV)) was significantly greater in type 1 Brugada patients (39.2 +/- 3.2 ms) compared with type 2 (5 +/- 0.3 ms) and 3 (5 +/- 0.4 ms) Brugada patients as well as controls (4.6 +/- 0.3 ms, P <.01 for all comparisons). Among type 1 Brugada patients, PET((RV-LV)) was significantly greater in patients who had previous cardiac events compared with asymptomatic subjects (48.2 +/- 4.3 ms vs 29.5 +/- 3.6 ms, P <.05). In the presence of type 1 Brugada ECG pattern, PET((RV-LV)) > or =40 ms identifies patients likely to have cardiac events, with 85.7% sensitivity and 93.7% specificity. CONCLUSION: PET((RV-LV)) is an important risk indicator for Brugada syndrome.     

Thyroid function and structure are affected in childhood obesity

OBJECTIVE: Alterations in thyroid function are reported in obesity, although no relevant data exist on the thyroid structure of these patients and the frequency of autoimmunity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the involvement of the thyroid gland in a large group of obese children. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study was conducted between March 2004 and December 2007 in 186 overweight and obese children. In all subjects, serum free T(3), free T(4), TSH, antithyroid antibodies, and a thyroid ultrasound were assessed. A total ot 40 healthy children matched for age and of normal weight for height served as controls. RESULTS: A total of 23 children (12.4%) showed antithyroid antibodies and an ultrasound pattern suggestive of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (group A). Of them, 20 (10.8%) showed antithyroid antibodies and normal ultrasound (group B). A total of 70 subjects (37.6%) showed absent antithyroid antibodies and an ultrasound pattern suggestive of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (group C), and 73 children (39.2%) showed no thyroid antibodies with normal ultrasound (group D). TSH was higher in groups A and C compared with groups B and C, and controls (P < 0.05). Mean free T(4) was lower in group B (P < 0.05) than in controls, whereas free T(3) was higher in group C than in controls (P < 0.05). TSH and body mass index sd scores were significantly correlated in group C (P < 0.001), and TSH was also significantly associated with the degree of thyroid structure alterations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Obese children frequently show alterations of thyroid structure and function that are not completely explained by the presence of an autoimmune involvement.     

Coronary artery disease is associated with the ratio of apolipoprotein A-I/B and serum concentration of apolipoprotein B, but not with paraoxonase enzyme activity in Iranian subjects

To determine the association of serum apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and B concentrations, and paraoxonase (PON) high-density lipoprotein (HDL) associated enzyme activity with angiographically determined coronary artery disease (CAD) in Iranian diabetic and non-diabetic CAD patients and non-diabetic control subjects, 251 subjects aged 30-70 years, who underwent their first coronary angiography were matched and randomly assigned into three groups: CAD(+)DM(+), CAD(+)DM(-), and CAD(-)DM(-) (control). Stenosis of > or =50% in one or more coronary arteries was classified as CAD(+). CAD(-) was defined as a maximum stenosis of 10% in any coronary artery. Fasting serum concentrations of cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), LDL-C, HDL-C, apo A-I/B and PON activity were determined. Apolipoprotein concentrations were measured in a fasting serum sample by immunoturbidometric assay and paraoxonase/arylesterase activities by spectrophotometric assay of p-nitrophenol/phenol production following addition of paraoxon/phenylacetate. Information concerning non-lipid risk factors were collected by questionnaires. No significant difference was observed in HDL-C, LDL-C, apo A-I, and PON/arylesterase activity between the study groups. The values of TC (213+/-38 vs 196+/-45, P<0.05), TGs (209+/-187 vs 151+/-113, P<0.01), apo B (99+/-22 vs 96+/-24, P<0.0001), TC/HDL-C (4.8+/-1.5 vs 4.0+/-1.3, P<0.001) and LDL-C/HDL-C (2.9+/-1.1 vs 2.4+/-1.1, P<0.05) were higher and apo A-I/B (1.7+/-0.4 vs 2.0+/-0.6, P<0.01) was lower in CAD(+)DM(+) patients than in control subjects. In CAD(+)DM(-) group, only the level of apo B (96+/-24 vs 85+/-18, P<0.01), and the ratio of apo A-I/B (1.8+/-0.4 vs 2.0+/-0.6, P<0.01), were significantly higher than those of control group. On multiple logistic regression analysis, the best markers for discrimination between CAD(+) groups and CAD(-) control subjects were the ratio of apo A-I/B in diabetic and apo B in non-diabetic patients. The results suggest that in Iranian diabetic and non-diabetic patients with CAD the concentration of apolipoproteins are better markers than traditional lipid parameters in discriminating between CAD(+) and CAD(-) subjects. Lack of significant difference in PON activity between CAD patients and CAD(-) controls supports the concept of interethnic variability in PON polymorphism and unimodal distribution of its activity in non-Europid populations observed in other studies.