Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus: relation to single photon emission computed tomography findings

This study was designed to highlight the relation of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) to neuropsychiatric lupus (NPLE) manifestations. The relation of TNF- to the type of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings in this context was also studied. Twenty-one systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) females, mean age 27.57 ± 9.89 years, and twenty age-matched normal females (controls), were subjected to TNF- assessment. Different clinical and neuropsychiatric manifestations were evaluated. SPECT was carried out for all patients. The results showed that the mean TNF- level (pg/ml) was significantly raised in patients compared with controls (167.8 ± 102.5 versus 64 ± 50.2, respectively, P 0.005). Thirteen patients (69.1%) had NPLE manifestations. NPLE patients had a significantly higher mean TNF- than patients without NPLE (203 ± 102.8 versus 109 ± 47.3, respectively, P 0.03). Positive SPECT findings were found in 18 lupus patients (85.7%), including all 13 patients with NPLE (100% sensitivity), with a multiple focal pattern of hypoperfusion being the most frequent type (9/13), followed by diffuse (3/13), and then single focal pattern (1/13). The mean TNF- was significantly higher in patients with multiple focal pattern (P 0.001). In conclusion, results of this work support the hypothesis that TNF- could be involved in the pathogenesis of NPLE, and hence, it could be speculated that the evolving anti-TNF therapy can play a potential role in the management of this disease.     

Distress tolerance and special alcohol metacognitions behave differently in the association of negative affect with alcohol-related patterns in men with problematic alcohol use in the abstinence phase

Negative affect may be related to alcohol-related patterns (e.g., craving and problematic alcohol use). Distress intolerance and positive and negative alcohol-related metacognitions may be underlying mechanisms in this link. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of negative affect including depressive, anxious, and stress symptoms on alcohol craving and problematic alcohol use via the paths of distress tolerance and both positive and negative alcohol-related metacognitions. Three hundred men with problematic alcohol use during the abstinence phase completed psychological and clinical measures. Results showed that craving and negative alcohol metacognitions mediated the relationship between negative affect and problematic alcohol use. Negative affect had a direct and positive effect on craving and indirect effect via distress intolerance and positive alcohol metacognitions. In turn, distress intolerance and positive alcohol metacognitions indirectly and positively affected problematic alcohol use via craving. The study indicates that distress tolerance and distinct alcohol metacognitions may be differently related to various patterns of alcohol-related problems, such that alcohol drinkers with high levels of negative affect, distress intolerance, and positive alcohol metacognitions show higher levels of craving, while high negative affect in relation to high negative alcohol metacognitions and alcohol craving is related to the perpetuation of alcohol use or problematic alcohol use.     

Effects of two dietary exogenous multi-enzyme supplementation,Natuzyme<Superscript>®</Superscript> and beta-mannanase (Hemicell<Superscript>®</Superscript>), on growth and blood parameters of Caspian salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta caspius</Emphasis>)

Recent increases in feed ingredient costs have motivated the fisheries industry to identify technologies that will improve feed utilisation and reduce the cost per pound of gain. The effects of two supplemental exogenous enzymes (Natuzyme® and Hemicell®) on the growth performance in Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius) were examined over an 8-week feeding trial. After the experimental period, the survival rate ranged from 91.33?±?1.15 % in controls to 96.67?±?1.15 % in the group that received 0.5 g Natuzyme® kg^?1?+?0.5 g Hemicell® kg^?1 (NH) in their diet and there was a statistical difference between experimental and control groups (p?<?0.05). Growth rate was significantly higher in the NH group (1.01?±?0.01) than the other groups (Sig.?=?0.00). The best feed conversion rate (0.64?±?0.01) was in the NH group and it was significantly lower than the control group, the 0.5 g Natuzyme® kg^?1 group, and the 0.25 g Hemicell® kg^?1 group (Sig.?=?0.03). The best final body weight (80.68?±?5.27) was observed in the NH group. Also, WBC count (7,716.67?±?348.80 N/mm³) was significantly higher in the NH group compared to the control (6,916.67?±?194.10 N/mm³; p?<?0.05). No difference was observed in haematocrit%, haemoglobin, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (p?>?0.05). The results suggested that enzyme supplementation caused significant improvement on growth performance and feed utilisation in Caspian salmon.     

Estimation of gestational diabetes mellitus and dose–response association of BMI with the occurrence of diabetes mellitus in pregnant women of the west of Iran

Abstract

The authors aim to investigate the GDM and the dose–response association of BMI with it in pregnant women in Kermanshah, Iran. During the 2015–2016?year, the 1010 pregnant women were studied. The restricted cubic spline method was used to evaluate the relationship between BMI and GDM. The risk of GDM was 10.1%. The incidence rate ratio for GDM indicates a non-significant protective effect and, then a significant risk for GDM occurrence along with BMI. BMI can be used as a predictive factor. A healthy diet and recommended levels of physical activity are suggested to prevent overweight and obesity and subsequent GDM.     

The value of simultaneous co-registration of 99mTc- MDP and 131Iodine in metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The lack of anatomical details in standard (131)Iodine whole body scanning ((131)I WBS) interferes with the proper localization of metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) lesions. In addition, nearby or overlapping variable physiological distribution of (131)I may affect the specificity of (131)I uptake, giving indeterminate results. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of simultaneous co-registration of (99m)Tc MDP bone scanning as an anatomical landmark with (131)I scanning in the evaluation of metastatic DTC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients (16 females and 9 males, mean age +/- SD = 52 +/- 13 years) with metastatic DTC (17 papillary, 8 follicular), were included. Whole body scanning using a 256 x 1024 matrix and an 8 cm/min scan rate were obtained 48 hours after oral administration of 185-370 MBq 131I and 2 hours after IV administration of 185-370 MBq (99m)Tc MDP using a dual head gamma camera equipped with high energy parallel hole collimators. Occasionally, additional simultaneous co-registration of localised detailed images was also performed using a 256 x 256 matrix size. The two planar images were fused with optional fusion of SPECT images. The data from standard (131)I scanning and fused (131)I/ (99m)Tc-MDP scanning were separately assessed by two nuclear medicine physicians. Fusion images were considered to improve image interpretation in comparison with standard (131)I scanning when they provided better localization of lesions. RESULTS: All lesions in the present study were validated by radiological images and clinical follow up for at least 12 months. Forty-eight metastatic lesions were confirmed as follows: 2 in the skull, 10 in the neck, 20 in the thorax, 12 in the pelvic-abdominal region and 4 in the extremities. Standard (131)I WBS showed 54 extra-thyroidal foci with 8 false positive lesions of which 2 were located in the scalp and 6 in the pelvic-abdominal region extra-skeleton (i.e. sensitivity 100%, specificity 86%). Out of the 48 validated lesions, 16 were indeterminately localized: 10 in the thorax (3 mediastinal nodal lesions, 5 vertebral lesions and 2 ribs) and 6 in the pelvic-abdominal region (2 upper sacral, 2 sacroiliac region and 2 ischial bone). Fusion images confirmed the precise localization of the pathological uptake in the validated 48 lesions (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%). There were 2 (4%) indeterminate lesions in fused planar imaging that were clearly localized via fused SPECT images. CONCLUSIONS: Fusion images using simultaneous co-registration of (131)I and (99m)Tc MDP scanning is a simple and feasible technique that improves the anatomically limited interpretation of scintigraphy using (131)I alone in patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The diagnostic advantage of this technique seems to be more apparent in the thoracic and pelvic- abdominal regions in contrast to the neck and extremities.     

Improving effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirulina platensis</Emphasis> on hematological parameters in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> exposed to sublethal doses of cyanide

The detoxification effects of dietary Spirulina platensis were investigated through semi-static chronic toxicity test developed with potassium cyanide (KCN) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The addition of dried Spirulina platensis in diet improves the hematological parameters (mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean cell hemoglobin concentrations (MCHC)) in spirulina + cyanide (SC) group in comparison with the fish exposed to cyanide alone (CY). RBC count increased in fish fed with spirulina (SP) in comparison with the other groups. However, this increase was significant compared with SC and CY (P?<?0.05). hematocrit (HCT), MCHC, and Hb level showed no significant difference among groups (P?>?0.05). MCH level improved significantly in the SC group compared with the SP group (P?<?0.05). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) level had its highest level in the CY group compared with the SP group. WBC count increased significantly in the SC group compared to the CY group (P?<?0.05). To sum up, it seems that, 10 % S. platensis in diet provided some protections against the toxic action of KCN and increased the chance of blood regeneration.     

Determination of normal blood biochemistry (electrolytes and non-electrolytes) values in mature Huso huso in spring

Knowledge of fish haematology can provide information supportive of a wide variety of uses. These studies have generally been used as an effective and sensitive index to monitor physiological and pathological changes in fish, especially in the management of endangered species such as Huso huso. In this study, 12 biochemical parameters in mature H. huso were measured. Serum samples of 40 H. huso (20 males and 20 females) were analysed, and their serum parameter values were determined as median (percentiles) in males and females, respectively: Na, 162.70 (160–164.75) and 141.10 (156–144.9 mmol/l); K, 3.2 (2.75–3.35) and 3.1 (2.75–3.85 mmol/l); Ca, 9.6 (7.8–11) and 9.7 (8.6–10.9 mg/dl); P, 14.7 (12.65–15.65) and 12.1 (11.25–13.95 mg/dl); glucose, 176 (124.5–234.5) and 173 (147.5–212 mg/dl); triglyceride, 770 (607.5–872) and 750 (664.5–842 mg/dl); bilirubin, 0.67 (0.575–0.825) and 0.61 (0.525–0.745 mg/dl); TOP, 3.2 (2.85–3.45) and 3.6 (3–3.8 g/dl); albumin, 1.4 (1.3–1.6) and 1.6 (1.2–1.85 g/dl); cholesterol, 286 (202–289.5) and 239 (202–308 mg/dl); creatinine, 0.13 (0.11–0.14) and 0.11 (0.9–0.15 mg/dl) and BUN, 15.2 (12.3–17.6) and 17.7 (15.7–19.55 mg/dl). The concentration of P was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in males than in females and levels of BUN and TOP in females was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in male fish.     

Determination of some normal serum parameters in starry sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771) during spring season

Hematology can be a useful tool for monitoring health status, detecting illnesses, and following the progress of diseases and responses to therapy. Despite advances in fish medicine in recent years, interpretation of fish hematology is often hampered by lack of meaningful reference values and the bewildering diversity of fish species. Serum samples of 40 Acipenser stellatus fish were analyzed (20 male and 20 female) and their serum parameter values were measured in both sexes. Serum biochemical values were determined (mean ± SEM) for sodium (Na; 149.2 ± 1.917 mmol/l), potassium (K; 2.75 ± 0.097 mmol/l), calcium (Ca; 8.293 ± 0.282 mg/dl), phosphorus (P; 12.39 ± 0.267 mg/dl), glucose (Glc; 166.40 ± 8.264 mg/dl), triglyceride (trig; 699.6 ± 22.94 mg/dl), bilirubin (bilirubin; 0.616 ± 0.0234 mg/dl), total protein (TOP; 2.988 ± 0.0842 g/dl), albumin (Alb; 1.218 ± 0.0415 g/dl), cholesterol (CHO; 238.2 ± 11.24 mg/dl), creatinine (CREA; 0.1085 ± 0.0048 mg/dl), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 15.32 ± 0.5104 mg/dl). The serum values for bilirubin, Na, P, and CREA were significantly higher in females, whereas BUN and Alb were significantly higher in males. The correlations of coefficients between measured parameters were also determined.