Effects of l‐carnitine supplementation on cardiovascular and bone turnover markers in patients with pemphigus vulgaris under corticosteroids treatment: A randomized,double‐blind,controlled trial

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a severe, bullous, autoimmune disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Corticosteroids are usually the main core treatment for controlling PV, which could lead to several side effects such as insulin resistance, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of l ‐carnitine (LC) supplementation in PV patients under corticosteroid treatment. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 48 patients with PV were divided randomly into two groups to receive 2 g LC (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 24) for 8 weeks, respectively. Serum levels of osteopontin (OPN), bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), cystatin C, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 25 hydroxyvitamin D3, and LC were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study. LC supplementation demonstrated a significant increase in serum carnitine (p < .001). In addition, at the end of the trial, LC supplementation significantly decreased serum BMP4 (p = .003), OPN (p = .03), and cystatin C (p = .001) levels. There was no significant effect on blood pressure in comparison with the placebo. During study, no harmful side effects were reported by patients. These findings indicate that LC supplementation significantly leads to favorable changes in OPN, BMP4, and cystatin C in PV patients under corticosteroid therapy. However, further investigations are required to confirm these results.     

Bart syndrome associated with skeletal deformities: An uncommon case report

Bart syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by aplasia cutis congenita, epidermolysis bullosa (EB), and nail abnormalities. We reported an unusual case of Bart syndrome associated with skeletal abnormalities and bilateral clubfoot.     

圆锥角膜患者基于角膜曲率验配硬性隐形眼镜的预测公式

目的:探讨隐形眼镜基线(BC)和角膜曲率结果(Krf)之间简单的数学相关性。方法:本回顾性研究包括350例400只圆锥角膜的眼睛,其先前五年在学院眼科中心验配硬性隐形眼镜。根据角膜曲率结果患者被分为五组,分别为Krf<7,Krf:7-8,Krf>8,Krf-Krs(两个角膜曲率的差异;平坦和陡峭)=0.3-0.6,Krf-Krs>0.6mm1至5组,使用多元线性回归和蒙罗相关系数推测公式。结果:除了第3组患者,可以在所有组中发现线性相关。第1组,BC=0.211×5.904Krf。第2组,BC=0.456×Krf4.160。第4组,BC=0.321×5.219Krf。第5组,BC=0.337×Krf+5.090。结论:RGP验配新公式的发展,可增强眼科医生工作的信心,避免不必要的和频繁的眼镜试验。通常的隐形眼镜验配方法需要更换新的公式,从而帮助节省时间和费用。     

Gastric precancerous lesions in first degree relatives of patients with known gastric cancer: a cross-sectional prospective study in Guilan Province, north of Iran

Background & Objectives: In patients with gastric cancer, the most frequently reported family historyof cancer also involves the stomach. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of gastric precancerouslesions in first-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer and to compare the obtained results with thoseof individuals with no such family history. Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, 503 consecutive persons morethan 30 years old were enrolled in the study covering siblings, parents or children of patients with confirmedadenocarcinoma of stomach. The control group was made up of 592 patients who were synchronously undergoingupper gastrointestinal endoscopy for evaluation of dyspepsia without gastric cancer or any family history. Allsubjects were endoscopically examined. Results: The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 77.7% in thecancer relatives and in 75.7% in the control group. Chronic gastritis was found in 90.4% vs. 81.1% (P<0.001).Regarding histological findings, 37(7.4%) of the study group had atrophy vs. 12(1.7%) in the control group(P<0.001), while no difference was observed for intestinal metaplasia (20.3%vs. 21.6%, P=0.58). Dysplasia wereshown in 4% of cancer relatives but only 0.4% of the control group (P<0.001). There was no gender specificity.Conclusions: Findings of our study point to great importance of screening in relatives of gastric cancer patientsin Iran.     

Lack of significance of the BRCA2 promoter methylation status in different genotypes of the MTHFR a1298c polymorphism in ovarian cancer cases in Iran

Objective: Promoter methylation, which can be regulated by MTHFR activity, is associated with silencingof genes. In this study we evaluated the methylation status (type) of the BRCA2 promoter in ovarian cancerpatients carrying different genotypes of the MTHFR gene (A or C polymorphisms at position 1298). Methods:The methylation type of the BRCA2 promoter was evaluated using bisulfate-modified DNA in methylationspecificPCR and the MTHFRa1278c polymorphism was assessed by PCR-RFLP. Results: Analysis of theBRCA2 promoter methylation type of cases showed that 7 out of 60 cases (11.7%) were methylated while theremaining 53 (88.3%) were unmethylated. In methylated cases, one out of the 7 cases had a CC genotype andthe remaining 6 methylated cases had an AC genotype. The AA genotype was absent. In unmethylated cases,34, 18, and one out of these had AC, AA and CC genotype, respectively. Conclusion: There was no significantrelationship between the methylation types of the BRCA2 promoter in different genotypes of MTHFRa1298cpolymorphism in ovarian cancer; p=0.255. There was no significant relation between the methylation types ofthe BRCA2 promoter in different genotypes of the MTHFRa1298c polymorphism in ovarian cancer.     

Pyemotes ventricosus dermatitis, southeastern France

We investigated 42 patients who had unusual pruritic dermatitis associated with a specific clinical sign (comet sign) in 23 houses in southeastern France from May through September 2007. Pyemotes ventricosus, a parasite of the furniture beetle Anobium punctatum, was the cause of this condition.     

Viral outbreaks and communicable health hazards due to devastating floods in Pakistan

Pakistan is a developing country that has a population of 190 million people and faces a huge burden of viral diseases. Every year during monsoon season heavy rain fall and lack of disaster management skills potentially increase the transmission of waterborne diseases, vector borne diseases and viral outbreaks. Due to severe flooding, thousands of people lose their lives and millions are displaced each year. In most of the cases the children who lose their family members are forced into illegal professions of begging, child labor and prostitution which make them prone to sexually transmitted infections. Up to date, no scientific study has been conducted nationwide to illustrate epidemiological patterns of waterborne diseases, vector borne diseases and viral epidemics during flash flood. Mosquito sprays would not be a sufficient approach for dengue eradication; mass awareness, larvicide and biological control by Guppy fishes are also effective strategies to overcome dengue problem. International health bodies and non-governmental organizations must take note of this alerting situation and take adequate steps such as financial/medical aid in order to defeat the after-effects of flood.