Vesico-ureteric reflux: occurrence and long-term risks

The prevalence of vesico-ureteric reflux in the general population is unknown, but it is increased in risk groups, such as children with symptomatic urinary tract infection, schoolgirls with asymptomatic bacteriuria, first-degree relatives of patients with reflux and children with prenatal dilatation of their upper urinary tract. Children and adults with pyelonephritic renal scarring are at risk of serious long-term complications, e.g. hypertension and renal failure. Modern paediatric care, with early detection and treatment of urinary tract infections and reflux during childhood and adolescence, may improve long-term prognosis. In the adult patient with established pyelonephritic renal scarring, careful control of hypertension may retard the rate of progression, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may have renal protective properties.     

The Role of Serotonin (5-HT) in Behavioral Control: Findings from Animal Research and Clinical Implications

The neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine both have a critical role in the underlying neurobiology of different behaviors. With focus on the interplay between dopamine and serotonin, it has been proposed that dopamine biases behavior towards habitual responding, and with serotonin offsetting this phenomenon and directing the balance toward more flexible, goal-directed responding. The present focus paper stands in close relationship to the publication by Worbe et al. (2015), which deals with the effects of acute tryptophan depletion, a neurodietary physiological method to decrease central nervous serotonin synthesis in humans for a short period of time, on the balance between hypothetical goal-directed and habitual systems. In that research, acute tryptophan depletion challenge administration and a following short-term reduction in central nervous serotonin synthesis were associated with a shift of behavioral performance towards habitual responding, providing further evidence that central nervous serotonin function modulates the balance between goal-directed and stimulus-response habitual systems of behavioral control. In the present focus paper, we discuss the findings by Worbe and colleagues in light of animal experiments as well as clinical implications and discuss potential future avenues for related research.     

美托洛尔治疗右室流出道室性早搏的效果观察

目的：观察美托洛尔对起源于右室流出道室性早搏的疗效。方法：选择起源于右室流出道的室性早搏患25例，给予美托洛尔治疗，剂量从6．25mg开始，无不良反应后，逐渐加量，最大剂量每天100－150mg，疗程3个月，用药前后查12导联体表心电图、24小时动态心电图及结合临床症状进行评定。结果：①临床症状评定：胸闷心悸25例，治疗后减轻20例，有效率为80％；焦虑20例，治疗后症状均消失，有效率为100％；头晕14例，治疗后减轻12例，有效率为85．7％。②室性早搏评定：25例中达到室性早搏抑制率70％有11例，有效率为44％；平均室性早搏抑制率为45．6％，6例成对室性早搏抑制率为80％，3例短阵室速消失，平均心率降低12．6／min。③生化指标：血糖、胆固醇、甘油、三酯治疗前后无明显改变。④2例因血压低未加药量。结论：美托洛尔治疗起源于右室流出道室性早搏疗效肯定，尤其对运动后早搏增多疗效较好，临床太改善较显，观察中未发现明显不良反应，无致心律失常现象。     

Trends in weights,heights, BMI and comparison of their differences in urban and rural areas for Iranian children and adolescents 2–18‐year‐old between 1990–1991 and 1999

Background Secular trends in height and weight are interesting because in middle‐ and low‐income countries they are a marker for changes in population health. The present study aims to evaluate the secular trend in height and weight and body mass index (BMI) of Iranian children and adolescents aged 2–18 years old between 1990–1991 and 1999 and compare the magnitude of urban–rural differences during this period for the first time in an Asian country. Methods Data from two national health surveys in 1990–1991 and 1999, of 22 349 and 25 196 weight and height measures of Iranian children and adolescents were used to study the trend and compare its difference in urban and rural children. Logarithmic transformation of weight, height and BMI was modelled as a polynomial in age for urban and rural boys and girls in each survey separately. The trend in urban and rural growth indexes (weight, height and BMI) and also the comparisons of urban–rural differences between two national surveys were tested in logarithmic scale using a weighted form of Z statistic for comparison of two means adjusted for age groups. Results Urban and rural boys and girls became taller and heavier (P≤ 0.02) with no change of BMI (P > 0.05) during the period. There was not any significant difference between the magnitudes of urban–rural difference between two surveys (P≥ 0.61). Conclusion Although generally positive weight and height trend was observed among urban and rural residents, the magnitude of their differences was not changed.     

Cryptosporidium Spp. Infection in Human and Domestic Animals

Background

Cryptosporidium spp. is a coccidian parasite infected humans and animals. Prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium spp. infection associated with is some parameters such as sampling, age, season, country and contact to domestic animals. This study aimed to determine Cryptosporidium spp. Infection in humans and some animals in rural areas of Shushtar district from Khuzestan Province, south- west of Iran.

Methods

In this study, Stool specimens were randomly collected from 45 cattle, 8 buffalos, 35 calves, 22 turkeys, 3 sheep, 2 geese as well as 62 humans in different seasons selected from rural areas of Shushtar district located in Khuzestan in the south- west of Iran from August 2009 to April 2011. The collected stool samples were examined by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method.

Results

Altogether, 68/115 (59.1%) domestic animals and 9/62 (14.5%) of humans were showed Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the study areas.

Conclusion

In this study we found the high frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the studied areas.     

Novel in Vitro Efficiency of Chitosan Biomolecule against Trichomonas gallinae

Background

Development of new natural agents for parasitic diseases treatment has unexpectedly increased to overcome effectively against emergence and re-emergence of parasitic diseases, the appearance of drug resistant organisms and toxic side effects of current agents. The aim of the study was to evaluate antiprotozoal activities of chitosan biomolecule on trophozoites of Trichomonas gallinae.

Methods

The antitrichomonal activity of various low molecular weight chitosan concentrations including 125, 250, 500 and 1250 µg ml⁻¹ against T. gallinae trophozoites cultured in trypticase-yeast extract-maltose medium supplemented with heat-inactivated cold horse serum was evaluated in vitro. Samples containing medium without chitosan were also assayed as controls.

Results

The mortality rates at 0, 3 and 6 h post treatment with all concentrations were significantly different from control group (P<0.05). Treated trophozoites showed more susceptibility to the highest concentration reaching mortality rate of 100% at 3h post inoculation. However, at this time, results for 125, 250 and 500 µg ml⁻¹ were 93%, 95% and 96.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that the application of chitosan biomolecule is a promising option for treatment of trichomoniasis in pigeons.     

Educational difference in the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a study in northern Iran

Background

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease in the world and it is rapidly increasing in Iran. In this study the relationship between educational levels and osteoporosis was investigated among Iranian postmenopausal women.

Method and subjects

Seven hundred and six women aged 50-75 years old were randomly recruited from urban (n = 440) and rural (n = 266) areas in Guilan. Osteoporosis was diagnosed by quantitative ultrasound technique and dual X-ray absorptiometry. Serum 25(OH) D3, body weight and height were measured in all subjects. Other data including age, educational level, menopause age, medications and history of illness were also collected.

Results

We found that the prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly greater among women with low educational level than women with high educational status (18.0% vs 3.8% P < 0.0001). However, women with low educational level had higher mean serum level of vitamin D than women with high educational level. Osteoporosis was significantly more prevalent among women living in rural areas than women living in urban areas (19.1% v.s 13.3%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

This study showed that educational level is associated with bone health in this population of postmenopausal women with significantly higher osteoporosis found in lower social groups. Therefore, we suggest that women with low social level should be carefully evaluated for signs of osteoporosis during routine physical examinations.     

6－甲氧基正丁苯酞在大鼠肝微粒体中的代谢研究

报道了用ＧＣ／ＭＳ方法及衍生化技术研究６甲氧基正丁苯酞（ＭＢＰ）在大鼠肝微粒体中的代谢转化结果。６甲氧基正丁苯酞在苯巴比妥（ＰＢ）诱导的大鼠肝微粒体中主要转化为３羟基、γ羟基取代物，６羟基正丁苯酞与一个环氧化代谢产物     

常咯啉在实验性心律失常狗的药代动力学－药效动力学分析

用Ｈａｒｒｉｓ冠脉结扎法诱发的心律失常狗研究常咯啉药代动力学－药效动力学。７只狗按８３．３３μｇ·ｋｇ￣（－１）·ｍｉｎ￣（－１）静脉滴注６０ｍｉｎ，在给药期间和停药后不同时间记录ＥＣＧ及测定血药浓度。Ｃ－Ｔ数据用药代程序计算药代参数；药效数据用药代－药效同步分析模型计算药效动力学参数，Ｋ１０，Ｔ１／２，Ｖｄ，Ｃｌ分别为０．００８７ｍｉｎ￣（－１），７８．０３ｍｉｎ，４０．５５ｍｌ·ｋｇ￣（－１）和０．４２１ｍｌ·ｋｇ￣（－１）·ｍｉｎ￣（－１）；Ｋｅ０和Ｃｅ（５０）分别为０．００４８ｍｉｎ￣（－１）和２．０１μｇ·ｍｌ￣（－１）.