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Mar 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-1201.jsn-22-4184
Ekladious AdelCorresponding author
Sarcoidosis is granulomatous autoinflammatory autoimmune remitting relapsing disease affecting every organ in the body, it is the most difficult disease to diagnose in the absence of serum or imaging biomarker. Differential diagnosis is broad which included inflammatory, infective, neurodegenerative and neoplastic, histological biopsy is the only confirmative marker, and even histological confirmation is not robust as infection, malignancy and some drugs can induce granuloma, the most common organs affected are lung, lymph nodes, skin, eyes, liver, and less commonly pituitary gland, bones, brain, peripheral nerves, and heart, causing bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, granulomatous lymphadenitis.
Dec 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-19-3081
Ibrahim SangaréCorresponding author
Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Université Nazi BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Malaria and typhoid fever are two endemic infectious diseases in developing tropical countries including Burkina Faso. There are two distinct infectious diseases with many similar clinical signs. In each sanitary area, it is important to describe the "typhomalaria" epidemiology to elaborate adequate diagnosis algorithm and efficient treatment protocol. A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to October 2014 in the lab department of University Hospital Souro SANOU, Bobo-Dioulasso. All microscopy positive malaria during the study period was included. Serodiagnosis of Widal and Felix was performed systematically in all Plasmodium spmalaria cases. Titers of antibodies anti-agglutinin O equal or higher than 1/400 and/or 1/800 for anti-agglutinin H antibodies were considered positive for Salmonella sp. A total of 283 malaria cases were included in this study, majority falciparum malaria. In this malaria cases, 91 patients were seropositive for Salmonella sp. "Typhomalaria" co-infection prevalence was 34.3% (CI 95% (28.8%; 40.1%)). The patient with the normal hemoglobin rate had the highest prevalence of co-infection (46.7% versus 30.9; p=0.02). Malaria and typhoid fever co-infection was high (approximately 1/3 of malaria cases) in University hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso. This study revealed the need to explore typhoid fever in malaria confirmed cases, especially in persistent fevers and non-anemic situation despite adapting antimalarial treatment.
Dec 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-18-2487
Fernando Díaz-OteroCorresponding author
Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Disciplinarias en Microbiología Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias. Carretera México-Toluca, Km. 15.5, C.P. 05110, México D.F.
Parasitic infection by the Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) promotes susceptibility towards other infections, such as Mycobacterium bovis. As consequence, could affect diagnostic tests for this disease. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of F. hepatica coinfection on the most commonly used immunodiagnostic bovine tuberculosis (bTB) tests in field conditions in an enzootic area for both diseases. Thus, from a dairy herd located in Hidalgo State, México, displaying a 59.2% and 28% prevalence of fascioliasis and bTB, respectively. Sixty-one cows were analyzed based on their response towards bTB immunodiagnostic tests, such as Single Intradermal Comparative Tuberculin Test (SICTT), gamma-interferon test (BOVIGAM) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), along with the assessment of the F. hepatica parasite load and serodiagnosis by ELISA. Three study groups were formed according to test results. Group 1: coinfected (n=22). Group 2: non-parasitized cows, and positive for bTB tests (n=13) and Group 3: parasitized cows without tuberculosis (n=26). In addition, a group of cows kept in fascioliasis - and tuberculosis-free zones were included (Group 4, n=10). A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and a Dunn test were applied to analyze the results. In Group 1, significant differences were observed regarding IFN-γ production, but not for antibody levels to M. bovis or reactivity towards bovine PPD in relation Group 2. While, Groups 1 and 3 did not display difference in antibody levels against F. hepatica. Differences were observed regarding tuberculosis and Fasciola diagnostic tests when both coinfected and infected groups were compared to controls. It is concluded that F. hepatica coinfection in tuberculous animals studied, depressed the production of IFN-γ towards bovine PPD under in vitro conditions, but its reactivity to the SICTT not show to be altered.
Jan 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-8572.joa-16-1364
Suat BiliciCorresponding author
Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology Department
Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcomes (including swallowing, respiration and phonation) of supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy (SGHL) and supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL). Methods The clinical and pathological data were evaluated for 36 previously untreated patients who were diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma and underwent SGHL or SCPL at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Istanbul Training and Research Hospital from 2010 to 2016. Removal of the nasogastric tube, decannulation and hospitalisation times were recorded in both groups and postoperative complications were noted. Results The SGHL group contained 15 patients and the SCPL group contained 21 patients (14 cases of cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) and 7 cases of cricohyoidopexy (CHP)). The mean age of the subjects was 57.4 years in the SGHL group, and 59.7 in the SCPL group. Patients in the SGHL group were decannulated after 65.2 days, whereas the average decannulation time was 72.6 days in the SCPL group. This difference in decannulation time between the groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean hospitalisation time was 23 days, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (>0.05). The nasogastric tube was removed from the patients after 37.9 days in the SGHL group and after 35.8 days in the SCPL group. No statistically significant difference was determined in the time to start feeding between the groups (p>0.05). Surgical wound infection, the occurrence of pharyngo-cutaneous fistulas and rupture of the pexy sutures were complications. Conclusion Functional outcomes of SCPL were similar to those of patients who underwent SGHL. The preservation of the hyoid bone is the most important consideration for preserving the swallowing function.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-25-5496
Chigozie Divine OnwukaCorresponding author
Intestinal parasitic helminths pose a significant public health burden, particularly among children. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic helminths among 550 school children aged 4-12 years in Oru-West L.G.A, Imo State, Nigeria. Stool samples were examined using parasitological techniques, and questionnaires were administered to collect data on risk factors. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic helminths was 49.1% (270/550), with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most prevalent (30.37%). Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between intestinal parasitic helminths and lack of hand-washing, insufficient toilet facilities, consumption of unwashed vegetables, and poor environmental sanitation. Males had a significantly higher infection rate than females (P < 0.05). Age-related prevalence was highest among children aged 4-6 (51.85%). Occupational status and educational level of parents were also significant predictors of infection. These findings highlight the need for public health education, provision of basic sanitation facilities, and regular de-worming as preventive measures.
Nov 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-612X.ijpr-25-5774
A. Thyer BruceCorresponding author
Social work has its roots in the efforts of early twentieth-century charity organizations to reduce human suffering. This movement among charity workers of the era was founded in the search for theoretical knowledge that would illuminate effective treatment options for social ills and ultimately transform the provision of charity into social work. Coinciding with the birth of social work was the development of psychoanalysis (PA) as a tool for theorizing and treating mental illness. For many decades training in PA theory was common within social work graduate programs and many clinical social workers practice today psychotherapy informed by PA principles. However, clinical social workers were long excluded from enrolling in and graduating from psychoanalytic training institutes, a requirement for being able to say that one is a psychoanalyst and provides psychoanalysis. In 1985, a legal ruling asserted that psychologists and other qualified mental health professionals could not be excluded from enrollment in PA training programs. Since that watershed decision, although many social workers have gone on to enroll and graduate as psychoanalysts, the process whereby one can pursue this training path is unfamiliar to most social workers. We describe the current PA training landscape and describe the process on how a LCSW can become a legitimate psychoanalyst.
Sep 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2769-2264.jw-24-5269
S. Speer MiltonCorresponding author
Significantly decreased rainfall run-off into the dams that feed the Darling River in eastern Australia during the Millennium (1997–2009) and Tinderbox (2017 –2019) Droughts coincided with reduced river levels along the Darling River. The rainfall reduction was due to accelerated global warming since the mid-late 1990s. During this period, unmonitored river water extraction from the streams that feed the Darling River was diverted to crops, on-farm dams, and to storage in the Menindee Lake system. This practice exacerbated the effect of the two droughts because streamflow that reaches the Darling River ceased in several upstream rivers, and in the Darling River. Using Darling River height levels, before and after the mid-late 1990s, it is shown that global warming is the key factor reducing Darling River levels in the last 53 years, even allowing for river water diversion and extraction. Between the periods 1972-1997 and 1998-2024 the Darling River mean heights, in the towns of Bourke, Wilcannia and Menindee, were all found to drop by statistically significant amounts. The catchment area rainfall has found to be decreasing due to global warming induced atmospheric circulation changes. Reducing water extraction either before or after it reaches the Darling River is unlikely to stop the short-medium term decline in Darling River levels.
Aug 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2578-2371.jslr-24-5157
Uluc GünayCorresponding author
Introduction It was seen that splenectomy creates a disability situation in an individual, and in order to eliminate it, people applied to health boards to get a report to eliminate their social and economic losses recognized to them. Objective To examine the reason for surgery, method of surgery and the type of report they wanted to receive in splenectomised patients who applied to the general surgery committee polyclinic in 2017-2018-2019-2020 and 2023 when the pandemic ended. Materials and Methods Patients who applied to general surgery outpatient clinics were asked whether they had any surgery related to general surgery, and epicrises and pathology results of splenectomised patients were seen and recorded. Results Of the 23 splenectomised patients, 15 were female and 8 were male. Of the 15 female patients, 3 were splenectomised for ovarian ca, 3 for gastric ca, 2 for distal pancreatic ca, 2 for lymphoma, 1 for colon ca, 1 for traumatic cause, 2 for ITP, 1 for sarcoidosis. In male patients, 4 were splenectomised for traumatic, 1 for colon ca, 1 for ITP, 1 for thalassemia major and 1 for CML. The mean age of female patients was 48.1 years and the mean age of male patients was 37.4 years. The most common reason for splenectomy in women was malignancy and the most common reason for splenectomy in men was trauma. Conclusion Splenectomized patients had applied to receive the most DSR.
Jul 2024 DOI 10.14302/oap.jc-23-4781
S. Kadandale JayaramaCorresponding author
As a first step towards clarifying the basis of the cooperation and conflict seen in chimeric binary mixes of Dictyostelium giganteum, we examined the karyotype of six natural isolates. All six had 5 haploid chromosomes. No meiotic figures were seen. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization was carried out using conserved D. discoideum centromeric DNA sequences as probes. From it, we infer that two chromosomes are sub-metacentric, one is metacentric and two are telocentric.
Mar 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2108.jcc-20-3675
Yuan ZhengCorresponding author
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune-mediated blistering disease. Cervical involvement is rare. A 38 year old nulliparous woman with PV on oral prednisolone and azathioprine was referred to the Gynaecology service for an abnormal cervical cytological smear showing low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. She was asymptomatic, 10 pack-year smoker, and reported no abnormal vaginal bleeding. Colposcopy was unsatisfactory with inadequate visualisation of the transformation zone due to severe cervico-vaginitis. A small focus of aceto-white epithelium was seen, surrounded by peeling, friable epithelium. HPV DNA test was negative. Punch biopsy demonstrated metaplastic squamous epithelium with intraepidermal suprabasal blister formation with acantholysis. Well-vascularised dermal papillae lined residual basal cells, giving rise to a tombstone appearance. There was no evidence of CIN/CGIN or invasive malignancy. An ulcer was also seen in the left buccal region. Repeat colposcopy after 6 weeks showed a small ulcerated area at the biopsy site with rolled healing edges, and a separate small ulcer. Cervical smear and colposcopy 6 months later were unremarkable. The incidence of cervical pemphigus vulgaris may be underestimated because women with pemphigus are often managed by Dermatologists without gynaecological input. In many published cases, cervical involvement was only detected after gynaecological examination due to symptoms such as dyspareunia, post-coital bleeding or vaginal discharge. Cervical smears of patients with pemphigus vulgaris typically display acantholysis, which may be misinterpreted as reparative, inflammatory, or neoplastic change. There have been reports of unnecessary hysterectomy due to such misdiagnoses. Review by an experienced cyto-pathologist is required in the event of diagnostic uncertainty.
May 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4149
Lemma WossensegedCorresponding author
Department of Medical Parasitology; School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
In Ethiopia stunting, underweight and wasting in school children are very common. The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of intestinal helminthes and schistosomiasis on malnutrition, anaemia and haematological indices in the school age children of Azezo Elementary School in Gondar town. Kato Katz technique was performed to determine infection and intensity of intestinal helminth infections. AnthroPlus software version 1.04 was used to get malnutrition indices while fully automated haematological analyzers were used to determine haematological and biochemical parameters. A total of 384 school children were recruited in this study. The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 45.8% (178/384) with the leading Ascarislumbericoides infection (20.6%) compared to the second leading Schistosomamansoni (17.4%) and third leading hook worm infections (13.3%). The prevalences of body mass indexes for age Z-scores (BAZ) indices were 9.6% (37) very sever thin, 17.2% (66) sever thin, 38.3% (147) thin, 34.4% (132) normal and 0.5% (2) overweight. On the other hand, the prevalences of height for age Z-scores (HAZ) indices were 12.2% (47) stunt, 87% (334) normal and 0.8% (3) over height. Of the total 384 school age children, 335 (87.2%) had normal blood glucose level (70 – 110 mg/dL) while the remaining 49 (12.8%) school age children were hypoglycemic. The number of the school children with normal total protein level (6.6 – 8 g/dL) was 259 (67.4%) while the remaining 125 (32.6%) school children were hypo-proteinaemic. The prevalence of anemia in the school age children was 33.1% (127). Intestinal helminth infections were statistically significantly associated (p = 0.000) with hypo-proteinaemia, anemia and number of lymphocytes compared with non-infected school children. The likelihood of anemia in intestinal helminth infected school children, when it was compared with uninfected, was 148 times higher for both Ascaris lumbericoides-Schistosoma mansoni co-infection, 38 times for Hookworm, 20 times for Schistosoma mansoni and 3 times for Ascaris lumbericoides mono-infections. Conclusion: Intestinal helminth infections in school age children aggravate malnutrition. Prolonged malnutrition and intestinal helminth infections could result in stunting in school-age children.
Mar 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2577-2279.ijha-21-3746
Ahmed Abdelrahman NuggedAlla MotazCorresponding author
University of Kassala Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Head Department of Anatomy University of Kassala
Background The neonatal morbidity and mortality is very high in the Sudan, the umbilical cord association and contribution to this is planned to be answered. Therefore the present study was designed to provide some information on the morphological variations of human umbilical cord via gross anatomical assessment and their correlation with foetal factors such as foetal weight and length. Methods A prospective hospital - based study conducted in Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between July 2014 and March 2018 Results The mean diameter of the 371 umbilical cords was 2.1±0.24cm. Length was 53.8±3.8 cm length ranging from 48 – 62 cm and 10 (2.7%) of 371 umbilical cords were uncoiled. of which, 1 (0.3%) cords were with absent Wharton’s Jelly. The mean neonatal indices were 2.95 kg, 33.19 cm and 44.42 cm for weight, head circumference and length respectively. There was just significant strong positive correlation between umbilical cord length and length of neonates. Also Umbilical cord diameter had a positive correlation with length of neonates and negative correlation with weight of neonates and APGAR Score. Conclusion The present study suggests that ‘normal’ cord length should be between 40 cm and 70 cm in length. Umbilical cord diameter had a positive correlation with fetal length and negative correlation with fetal weight and APGAR score. The diameter range of 1-2 cm suggests that a normal cord must not exceed 2 cm in diameter. However the umbilical cord index had negative correlation with length of neonates.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-8681.jcsr-21-3701
Zhao BinCorresponding author
School of Science, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Background The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) suddenly appeared in Wuhan, Hubei since December 2019, and quickly swept across China, then the whole world. Today, after more than 100 days of fighting against the virus, China's epidemic has been effectively controlled, but when we looking at the entire world, the novel coronavirus has rampaged globally, especially in the United States and many European countries. This paper mainly studies the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks at Hubei Province and the United States, fits the given data and predicts future trends. Methods Based on the theoretical basis of traditional differential equations and SIR infectious disease model1, and combined with the actual situation to improve the model. Hubei Province is modeled in different time periods, and the effects of birth rate and natural mortality on the model are analyzed. Since the birth rate and natural mortality in the United States in recent years cannot be found, the epidemic situation in the United States can only be analyzed based on the absence of births and natural deaths. Finally, we used Netlogo2 to establish a closed environment (Small World), and combined with known data to conduct simulation experiments on COVID-19 infection. Findings Through the analysis of given data through the SIR model, it is found that before the Chinese government has taken comprehensive measures to cure patients (before 10 February), the number of patients in Hubei Province will reach the peak at the end of February, and will gradually decline thereafter, and on 20 March, the epidemic will be effectively controlled in the future, which coincides with the fact that Wuhan closed the last mobile cabin hospital on 10 March. On the other hand, after the Chinese government tried its best to cure the patients (after 21 February), the number of patients continued to decline over time and will reach 0 in mid-April, which is also consistent with the actual data. According to the factors of birth and natural death, the sensitivity analysis of the above model found that when the epidemic situation is at its peak, it has little effect on the curve, but when the epidemic situation gradually flattens, it still has a certain effect on the trend of the curve. Finally, looking at the situation in the United States, due to the high transmission rate, the number of patients in the United States continues to rise and is expected to reach its maximum in mid-June. We also use Netlogo to simulate the environment in which the virus spread, and find that the general trend of the curves is also consistent with the actual curves. Interpretation The Chinese government has taken various measures to deal with the novel coronavirus pneumonia, including the establishment of two temporary hospitals and dozens of sheltered hospitals, the temporary transformation of university dormitories into isolation rooms345, the closure of Wuhan, the ban on the movement of people and so on. These measures have helped to reduce the spread of the virus and greatly increased the patient's cure rate. But the US government ’s actions are not as effective as China’s, not only because the government ’s actions are inappropriate and untimely, and the people’s opposition to isolation has not subsided. As a result, the virus has spread widely in the United States. More than one million people have been infected with the virus, and tens of thousands of people have died from COVID-196.
Jun 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-20-3426
Cheng KangCorresponding author
Basic Medicine, Medical School, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao, P.R. China
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 400 thousand and infected more than 7 million people in the whole world as of 06/10/2020. Many open systems, such as educations, transportations, entertainments, sports or foods, have been completely or partially locked down in many regions of the world to prevent COVID-19 spreading. Therefore, how to reopen all of the open systems after the shutdown has become a world urgent issue. Evidences of COIVD-19 have showed: person-to-person transmission occurs among close contacts; virus droplets (or aerosols) play an important role in the transmission; people can prevent COVID-19 by measures of mask-wearing or maintaining social distancing. However, how these measures work to prevent COVID-19 is still not clear in a perspective of biomedical Infophysics. In this study, (1) we think the transmission of infection can be accomplished by real or virtual person; (2) we define a virtual person as ghost airflow, a term we coin to describe virus droplets (or aerosols) that are initially generated by human carriers and remain in the air to be transmitted. These ghost airflows are as dangerous as the real virus carriers particularly in enclosed (confined) environments; (3) we propose biomedical infophysical models (BMIPM) of filtering the ghost airflows by mask-wearing and maintaining social distancing, to help people to understand the filtering mechanisms and willingly follow the guidelines of preventing covid-19, and therefore to successfully reopen all of the open systems after the shutdowns (lockdowns) and (or) to avoid the shutdowns (lockdowns) in future epidemics or pandemics. Significantly, we compare the prevention efficiencies of COVID-19 between people who are accustomed and not accustomed to masks based on the published WHO, CDC or NHC pandemic data. The compared results support our models in this investigation. Coronaviruses easily survive and have high toxicity, in dirty, wet and cold environments, and the air pollution is linked with higher COVID-19 death rates. The dingy environments and air-conditioning, freezing systems sufficiently provide such necessary dirty, wet and cold conditions and polluted airflows to exacerbate the mortality rate of COVID-19. Therefore, we strongly suggest: to use air conditioners as less as possible, to turn the wind levels as low as possible and to clean (disinfecting) the air-conditioning systems (filters and channels) and environments as frequent as possible.
Apr 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2994-6743.ijstd-20-3272
Bajaj AnubhaCorresponding author
MD. (Pathology) Panjab University, Department of Histopathology, A.B. Diagnostics, A-1, Ring Road, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, 110027, India.
Nevus comedonicus (NC) was initially described by Kofmann in1895 and scripted as a “comedo nevus”. Nevus comedonicus is cogitated as an exceptional subtype of epidermal nevus engendered from the hair follicle and a lesion predisposition for face and neck. Nevus comedonicus syndrome with constituent nevus comedonicus was initially coined by Engber in 1978. Delayed milestones and deferred neonatal development can ensue with nevus comedonicus or nevus comedonicus syndrome12.
Oct 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-3146.jec-19-3049
A.A BerezinCorresponding author
Independent Researcher
As a result of mathematical modeling it has been shown that any closed electrical line can be interpreted as a ring waveguide where the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam recurrences of the electron and phonon currents interact with each other on the transversal and longitudinal periodical structures of the line conductor’s crystalline lattice as well as on the structures of the wire insulation. An electronic circuit simulating the mathematical model through the dynamics of magnons and phonons in a closed ferrite core with two different coils switched into the shoulders of a multivibrator has been developed. It has been demonstrated that the interacting ferromagnetic and ferroacoustic resonances excited simultaneously in a ferrite core qualitatively correspond to the dynamics of the electron and phonon currents interaction process in a closed electrical line.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-3208.ijli-19-2853
H. Radwan EmanCorresponding author
Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Egypt.
This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasite in schoolchildren in Damanhur, Egypt and some of its villages. The pathogenic enteric protozoa have been progressively involved in bargaining the soundness of a great many individuals, for the most part in creating nations. Mediations are being set up to control the dreariness and mortality because of these protozoan contaminations. A portion of these mediations target school going kids with regards to class based wellbeing intercession. The present examination concentrated on exploring the commonness of intestinal protozoan contaminations among younger students chose networks comprising of urban, urban-poor and per urban settlements in the Damanhour and a few towns. In the present work Giardia lamblia was the second usually identified protozoan with a diseases rate 10.4% among the analyzed cases. In the present examination generally speaking level of parasitic contaminations among the kids was 57.3%. It's viewed as Enterobius vermicularis was the most usually identified protozoan as it spoke to 4.1% of the parasitic diseases in the considered cases pursued by Ascaris lumbricoides; 1.4% and Giardia lamblia contaminations as they spoke to 0.6%; separately. The protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium are regularly present in surface waters and cause episodes in this manner legitimately affecting human wellbeing.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-5014.jphn-18-2456
Mohamadreza AmiriCorresponding author
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is now recognized not only for its importance in promoting bone health in children and adults, but also for its other health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, common cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Ultraviolet radiation of the sun with wavelengths of 290-310 nm penetrates into the skin and converts 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which quickly transforms to vitamin D3. Vitamin D (D represents either D2 or D3) made in the skin or ingested through diet is biologically inert and requires two successive hydroxylations first in the liver on carbon 25 to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D and then in the kidney for a hydroxylation on carbon 1 to form the biologically active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) 121419. The concentration of the produced 25-hydroxy vitamin D in blood circulation is 1,000 times more than 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 4, and it is regarded as a standard indicator of vitamin D status in humans 3. 25-hydroxy vitamin D half-life is about 2-3 weeks and it is regulated by calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) to some extent. 25-hydroxy vitamin D content also reflects the amount of vitamin D produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight or received through food intake 56. Guidelines for vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency defined by serum 25(OH)D concentrations have been published from many countries and regions all over the world 7891011. Vitamin D deficiency is a pandemic problem. According to global estimations, more than one billion people around the world suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Among Iranian population, the incidence of vitamin D deficiency varies from 2.5 to 98.5% based on geographic area 1213. Various factors may give rise to vitamin D deficiency, including skin pigments, low levels of vitamin D in diet (insufficient fish oil and egg yolk intake), malnutrition, genetic factors, exclusive breast feeding, vitamin D deficiency of mother during pregnancy, prematurity, chronic use of drugs (e.g., anticonvulsants, aluminum-containing anti-acids, rifampcin, isoniazid, antifungal drugs, antiviral drugs, and glucocorticoids), winter and obesity 113. Cultural habits, the need for full body coverage during outdoor activities and the lack of sunlight programs are the risk factors for low vitamin D levels in women 151617. Children enter foster care due to early childhood adverse experiences such as poor prenatal and infant health care, food insecurity, chronic stress, and the effects of abuse and neglect. As a result, they are at higher risk for poor physical, psychological, neuroendocrine and neurocognitive outcomes compared to others. Foster children are at risk for growth and nutritional deficiencies due to their poor nutritional environment prior to placement in foster care. Insufficient caloric intake results in growth deficiencies. Evidence showed that the risk of stunting and underweight is high in this population 18. The risk of developing hypovitaminosis D was significantly higher in children living in foster homes. One reason is that they are at higher risk of child abuse, emotional deprivation and physical neglect than children living with their families. Moreover, these children most likely do not spend much time outdoors and they lack adequate sun exposure. Another reason is that as children grow up in institutional care, they shift from a diet of vitamin D–fortified formula milk to cooked food, which may not be fortified with vitamin D 1. Iranian government has made some efforts to apply efficient interventions to reduce the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and the country’s healthcare system should be managed through accurate planning. Yet, in this country, studies on vitamin D deficiency in children living in foster homes are very limited, and given that timely diagnosis and treatment of this deficiency is vital, this research is conducted in Ali Asghar foster home in Mashhad, Iran.
Dec 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4526.jddd-18-2521
Yagubovich Abdullaiev RizvanCorresponding author
Kharkov Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkov, Ukraine
Introduction: Ultrasound study of locally advanced gastric cancer that has spread to adjoining tissue and lymph nodes. This tumor can be associated with T2 to T4 stages of cancer. A “Locally advanced gastric cancer” is a tumor, which may be categorized as ‘resectable’ cancer when compared with M1 advanced cancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Capabilities of transabdominal ultrasonography in assessment of structures and functional disorders of the locally advanced gastric cancer of diverse localization Materials and Methods: A total of61 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer were analyzed of which 36 (59,0%) were males (mean age 62.7 years) and 25 (41,0%) were females (mean age 59.3 years). All patients were managed surgically and underwent preoperative X-ray, virtual gastroscopy techniques, multidetector computed tomography and transabdominal ultrasonography (USG). Histopathology results found, in 58 (95,1%) cases adenocarcinoma, in 3 (4,9%) – ring-cell carcinoma (cricoidal) gastric cancer was established. Stage T2 was diagnosed in 16 (26.2%) cases, T3 - in 41 (67.2%) cases, T4 - in 4 (6.6%) cases. The stomach tumor in 29 (47.5%) cases was localized mainly in the antrum, 27 (44.3%) – in the body, 5 (8.2%) in the cardia and fundus (Table 1). In 24 (39,3%) cases, pyloric stenos was diagnosed - of which in 6 (9,8%) it was compensated, in 18 (29,5%) - sub compensated. All patients underwent preoperative X-ray, virtual gastroscopy techniques, multidetector computed tomography and transabdominal ultrasonography (USG). Normal ultrasound features were observed in 35 patients without gastric pathology. Ultrasonography was carried out with the convex and micro convex transducers in the frequency range of 2-5 MHz and 4-7 MHz respectively in B and color Doppler modes. Results: The polypoid type of gastric cancer was detected in 3 (4,9±2,8%) cases, the ulcerative type – in 18 (29,5±5,8%), the infiltrative ulcerative type – in 27 (44,3±6,4%) and the diffuse infiltrative type – in 13 (21,3%±5,2%) cases respectively. In 24 (39,3%) cases, pyloric stenos was diagnosed - of which in 6 (9,8%) it was compensated, in 18 (29,5%) – sub compensated. The layers of the gastric wall were not differentiated in all patients with sub compensated pyloric stenos. The gastric wall thickness of the affected area was 10,2±2,9mm in the case compensated pyloric stenosis, the length was 27,1±6,2mm, the diameter of the pylorus was 8,3±0,8mm. Among patients with sub compensated pyloric stenos, the thickness of the gastric wall was 19,8±4,1mm, the length was 43,6±4,5mm, the pyloric diameter was 4,3±1,1mm. Among the 61 patients studied, pathological vascularization was detected in 42 (68.8%) cases. It was observed that, all 4 (6.5%) patients with gastric cancer were stage T4 and 38 (62.3%) were stage T3. Vascularization was weak in 13 cases, in 24 cases - moderate, and in 5 cases - enhanced. Metastases to the regional lymph nodes were diagnosed in 52 cases. Ultrasonographically, they were detected only in 37 (71.2%) cases. Conclusions: In the diagnosis of locally advanced gastric cancer, ultrasonography demonstrates good capabilities for determining the extent and depth of the affected area. Color doppler mode allows the study of vascularisation of a locally thickened area, as well as nearby enlarged lymph nodes, which is very important to ascertain the degree of malignancy of the hyperplastic process. ltrasonography can independently determine the degree of pyloric stenosis in patients with distal gastric cancer.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2578-2371.jslr-18-2213
Meriam SabbahCorresponding author
Department of gastroenterology, Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
Introduction: Granulomas in gastric biopsy specimens are extremely rare. The final diagnosis of granulomatous gastritis is based on morphological findings, clinical and laboratory data. The aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical fields and to determine the etiology of gastric granulomatosis in our experience Patients and Methods: Thirty nine patients were reviewed retrospectively in the department of pathology of Habib Thameur between 2000 and 2018. Slides from all cases were stained by hematoxylin and eosin. The clinic-pathologic findings and the associated lesions were analyzed and the final etiology of the gastric granulomatosis was noted. Results: Biopsies from the 39 patients diagnosed as having granulomatous gastritis were reviewed. Mean age was 49 years (24 – 96) and sex ratio was 0,25 (M/F=8/31). Indication of endoscopy was gastric pain in 12 cases, chronic diarrhea in 6 cases, anemia in 2 cases, vomiting in 4 cases. Other symptoms were rare. Upper endoscopy was normal in 8 cases, showed antral gastropathy in 20 cases (erythematous in 6 cases, nodular in 8 cases and ulcerated in 6 cases). In four cases, fundic lesions were observed. Granuloma was unique in 14 cases and multiple in 25 cases. Localisation of granuloma was the antrum in 25 cases, the fundus in 7 cases, and both of them in 7 cases. An associated chronic gastritis was noted in 25 cases. Concerning the etiology, 10 of our patients had Crohn's disease while 6 of them had gastric tuberculosis. In five cases, H Pylori was the retained cause of gastric granulomatosis. In the other patients, the final diagnosis was sarcoidosis (n=3), foreign body reaction (n=1), yersiniosis (n=1). In our series, thirteen cases were unclassifiable. Conclusion: Although many cases remain unclassified, in most cases of granulomatous gastritis, a diagnosis of Crohn's disease or tuberculosis could be established. If this cases are excluded, an association between H. pylori and granulomatous gastritis cannot be ruled out. The others causes are extremely rare.
Sep 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2578-2371.jslr-18-2174
Meriam SabbahCorresponding author
Department of gastroenterology, Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
A rare case of association between primary sclerosing cholangitis and Paget's disease emphasizing the diagnostic difficulties in front of increased alkaline phosphatase is reported. The association between sclerosing cholangitis and Paget's disease wasn’t yet described and could thus be coincidental. However, our observation underlines the benefit of dosing ALP isoenzyme to characterize the bone or hepatic origin of ALP and therefore, help to guide the diagnosis.
Apr 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2578-8590.ipj-18-2018
Hinzpeter JaimeCorresponding author
Medical Doctor, University of Chile, Clinical Hospital, Santiago Chile
Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin in a patient with arthrofibrosis of the knee. Arthrofibrosis is a common complication of knee surgery that tends to manifest itself as a limitation of the musculoskeletal ranges. Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin has been proposed as an alternative treatment for painful musculoskeletal pathologies. Subjects: Use of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin in arthroscopic menisectomy. Case report. Methods: Three doses of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin were administered in an intra-articular manner on different days. Functionality, musculoskeletal ranges, pain at rest and pain during motion were evaluated. Results: The current alternatives for management of arthrofibrosis include the use of oral steroids, physiotherapy, mobilization under anesthesia and the liberation of arthroscopic debris. This case is the first report of the use of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin. The adverse effects the patient presented coincided with those described in the literature but without the presence of severe reactions. Improvement in functional tests, progress in musculoskeletal ranges and a decrease in the level of pain were achieved. Adverse effects included parenthesia and a feeling of weightlessness.
Nov 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-16-1294
Figueiredo ReginaCorresponding author
The paper presents the incorporation of sexual and reproductive rights in the legislation of Brazil, considering the influence of the discussions that involved the United Nations conferences of Cairo and Beijing. Are described and analyzed the Federal Constitution and federal laws, as the Criminal Code and the Code of Child and Adolescent, besides other legal norms of Brazilian executive power bodies, like the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, particularly in the areas of health and citizenship. This process allowed the introduction of new health and education practices in public institutions, offered to the entire population -primarily benefiting women and teenage girls and, then, integrating people in situation of sexual diversity -although there are still problems, such as the occurrence of pregnancies and abortions in adolescence and the underreporting of sexual and gender violence. It is concluded that Brazil has incorporated into its laws the precepts of the sexual and reproductive rights more easily due to the proper moment, which coincided with the creation of new legal instruments and the organization of the national state. Nevertheless, it is still necessary translating these legal advances into practical advances in the public policies and policies focused on people’s needs.
Mar 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.jpgr-16-941
Chan ChristinaCorresponding author
Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, Rm 2240A, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
In contrast to approaches that compare pair-wise control (i.e. normal) to treated (i.e. disease) samples, we compared colorectal cancer samples not only to a set of control samples but also against a wide range of samples and conditions to collect the differentially expressed genes and identify target genes. We identified specific genes for colorectal cancer and showed that they are significantly associated with colorectal cancer in the literature. Analysis of independent datasets revealed a significantly distinct expression pattern for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and ring finger protein 43 (RNF43) in colorectal cancer samples. GR was downregulated whereas RNF43 was upregulated in colorectal cancer with respect to various conditions in different datasets. In HCT116 colorectal cancer cell line, knock-down of GR levels with siRNA resulted in increased RNF43 levels, suggesting that GR might be a negative regulator of RNF43. Our study suggests that the downregulation of GR might be involved in the upregulation of RNF43 in colorectal cancer.
Feb 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.jpgr-15-889
E. Buroker NormanCorresponding author
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Purpose The endothetal Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain protein 1 (EPAS1) gene which encodes hypoxia-inducible-factor-2 alpha (HIF2a) is a transcription factor that is involved in the response to hypoxia. EPAS1 has been found to have four (rs56721780, rs6756667, rs7589621, rs1868092) simple nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with human disease.These SNPs were computationally examined with respect to changes in potential transcriptional factor binding sites (TFBS) and these changes were discussed in relation to disease and alterations in high altitude adaptation in humans. Methods The JASPAR CORE and ConSite databases were instrumental in identifying the TFBS. The Vector NTI Advance 11.5 computer program was employed in locating all theTFBS in theEPAS1 gene from 1.6 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site to 539 bps past the 3’UTR. The JASPAR CORE database was also involved in computing each nucleotide occurrence (%) within the TFBS. Results The EPAS1 SNPs in the promoter, intron two and the 3’UTR regions have previously been found to be significantly associated with disease and different levels of high-altitude hypoxia among native Tibetans. The SNP alleles were found to alter the DNA landscape for potential transcriptional factors (TFs) to attach resulting in changes in TFBS and thereby, alter which transcriptional factors potentially regulate the EPAS1 genesuch as for the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid nuclear receptor binding sites created by the rs7589621 rSNP EPAS1-G allele. These receptors regulate carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Also the minor rs7589621 rSNP EPAS1-A creates a punitive TFBS for the FOXC TF which is an important regulator of cell viability and resistance to oxidative stress. These EPAS1 SNPs should be considered as regulatory (r) SNPs. Conclusion The alleles of each rSNP were found to generate unique TFBS resulting in potential changes in TF EPAS1 regulation. The punitive changes in TFBS created by the four rSNPs could very well influence the significant cline in allele frequencies seen in Tibetans with increasing altitude or the haplotype association with high altitude polycythemia in male Han Chinese. These regulatory changes were discussed with respect to changes in human health that result in disease and sickness.