Comparison between invasive and noninvasive tests in diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

In this study, the invasive and noninvasive diagnotic tests were compared to choose the appropriate test for diagnostice of H. pylori infection. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a human pathogen that causes chronic gastritis, has a role in gastric and duodenal ulcer, is involved in gastric carcinogenesis and is regarded as a possible important factor in at least a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia. The diagnosis of H. pylori is an essential element in the management of many common gastrointestinal pathologies. The assessment of each routine invasive and noninvasive test is important. We studied a total of 127 outpatients for the detection of H. pylori infection. The presence of H. pylori infection by invasive tests containing the Rapid Urease Test (RUT), histology (Giemsa staining) and culture in 127 patients. Patients who were positive in culture, or two tests from four tests, invasive and noninvasive, were considered to have H. pylori infection. In noninvasive tests, we evaluated anti-H. pylori IgG and anti-CagA antibodies using commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) and Western blot in dyspeptic patients. Eighty five out of the 127 patients were positive for H. pylori. Helicobacter pylori IgG seropositivity and 35 out of the 127 patients were positive for immunoblot. RUT had sensitivity, specifity and accuracy of 96, 80 and 90.5%, respectively; for Elisa these were 85.2, 33 and 70.5%, respectively and for ELISA with immunoblotting they were 65, 45 and 58.8%, respectively. The results of this study suggest that noninvasive tests (ELISA, immunoblotting) have the lowest and RUT with histology have the highest accuracy. These earlier tests can not be used for accurate infection diagnosis.     

Assessment of chronic gastritis in pet dogs and its relation with helicobacter-like organisms

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic gastritis in pet dogs, to determine the histopathologic changes of gastric mucosa and, to determine its relationship with canine gastric Helicobacter infection. Sixty percent (n = 18), 27% (n = 8) and 13% (n = 4) of the examined stomachs showed normal, congested and erosive gastric mucosa respectively. Histopathologic examination was confirmed the presence of chronic gastritis in 40% of dogs (n = 12). Lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastritis was the most common type of chronic gastritis. Gastric Helicobacter was detected in cytological examination of 26 out of 30 dogs (86.6%) but in the PCR analysis, 93% of gastric samples were positive for GHLO. There was no significant relation between the presence of Helicobacters and chronic gastritis (p>0.05). Follicular gastritis was detected in 12 cases (40%) and there was also no significant correlation between its presence and GHLO's infection (p>0.05). In conclusion, chronic gastritis can be considered as a prevalent disease especially in dogs. Nutritional and environmental factors as well as individual immune response may have role in induction of chronic gastritis, but the clinical significance of these histopathologic changes should be evaluated.     

Endoscopic findings and Helicobacter pylori in children on long-term hemodialysis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of GI symptoms, endoscopic abnormalities, histologic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection in children with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Upper endoscopy and gastric biopsy were performed in 31 consecutive ESRD children from 2002-2007, before renal transplantation. H. pylori status was determined by urease test and histology. The mean age of patients was 11 +/- 3.3 years (4-16 year). The mean duration of dialysis was 12.4 +/- 11 months (1.5-54 months). Seventeen patients (54.8%) were symptomatic. Twenty patients (64.5%) had endoscopic abnormalities. Antral erythema, esophagitis, antral nodularity and diffuse gastritis were common endoscopic findings. Endoscopic abnormalities were more common in symptomatic patients than asymptomatic patients (p < 0.05). Twenty patients (64.5%) were H. pylori positive. There was no statistical correlation between age, sex, serum creatinine level, presence of any symptoms and endoscopic abnormalities with H. pylori positivity. The mean duration of dialysis in H. pylori negative patients was significantly longer in comparison with H. pylori positive patients. High prevalence of eodoscopic abnormalities and H. pylori infection in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients emphasize the necessity of upper GI evaluation in ESRD children before renal transplantation.     

An estimating on of the economical value of Arsanjan Bonab Forest Park, Iran

Using of amusement places always has been important for humankind. Therefore, assessment of value for this promenaded and usage of nature is necessary for future programming in management of natural resources. For this reason, this research will discuss an assessment of the promenaded value of Bonab Forest Park and determines a visitor's Willingness To Pay (WTP) for promenaded benefits obtained. In this study, two techniques are used for Contingent Valuation (CV) $ Travel Cost (TC) method by Dichotomous Choice (DC). For determination of visitor's willingness to pay simple average method was employed. Results indicate that 94.3% of visitors are willing to pay for promenaded values at the Bonab Forest Park. The mean value for willingness to pay for the value of the park is 0.38 $ for each person per month. Annual value for promenade in this park was calculated 3439.3 $ per hector. Other important results in this research show that forest park has promenaded value significantly and on the other hand, we can increase the usage, protection and numbers of tourists.     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of dietary soybean vs. casein proteins in a crossed over diets in rat

To investigate the effects of dietary proteins on the level of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL), 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided in control and 3 experimental groups (El, E2 and E3). The feeding regimes of rats were as follow: control, standard diet; E1, a cholesterol free diet containing 20% soybean protein; E2, a cholesterol free diet containing 20% casein and E3, a cholesterol free diet containing 10% soybean protein and 10% casein. The experimental period was 11 weeks but at the end of 7th week the diets of E1 and E2 groups were crossed over for the next 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected weekly, via the ophthalmic sinus and the serum levels TC, TG and HDL were measured. In comparison with control group, the results show that at the end of 7th week TC levels in E1 and E2 groups were significantly (p<0.05) increased while HDL level unchanged and the TC value of E2 was bigger (not significant) than E1. However by crossing over the diets, the TC level was significantly (p<0.05) diminished in E2 while TG value remarkably (p<0.05) increased. These results indicate that soybean protein may insert its hypocholesterolemic effect in hypercholestrolemic condition than in normolipidemic condition.     

Antihyperlipidemic Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aronia melanocarpa</Emphasis> Fruit Juice in Rats Fed a High-Cholesterol Diet

Aronia melanocrpa fruit juice (AMFJ) used in our experiment was very rich in phenolic substances (709.3 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 ml juice). Anthocyanins (106.8 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 ml juice) were the main flavonoid group. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of AMFJ on plasma lipids and lipoprotein profile, and histopathology of liver and aorta in rats with dietary-induced hyperlipidemia. AMFJ was administered by gavage for 30 days at doses of 5, 10 and 20 ml/kg body weight to rats fed a standard diet (SD) or a 4% cholesterol-containing diet (4% ChD). The 4% ChD caused a significant elevation of plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). AMFJ did not significantly influence plasma lipids in rats fed the SD and significantly hindered the elevation of plasma TC, LDL-C and TG in rats fed the 4% ChD. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were not significantly influenced either by the 4% ChD or by AMFJ. Neither the cholesterol feeding, nor AMFJ treatment induced any histopathological changes in rat liver and aorta. In conclusion, AMFJ showed an antihyperlipidemic effect in rats with hyperlipidemia and could be valuable in reducing this factor of cardiovascular risk.     

滴灌带配置方式对冬小麦生长及产量的影响

为筛选出与冬小麦种植相适宜的滴灌带配置方式,对比分析了1管4行（处理A）、1管5行（处理B）、1管6行（处理C）三种不同的滴灌带铺设方式下冬小麦生长、产量的差异。结果表明,在不同滴灌带配置方式下,滴灌冬小麦叶面积指数（LAI）均随生育进程呈先升后降趋势,处理A在整个生育期内LAI始终高于处理B和处理C;旗叶叶绿素含量（SPAD值）在开花期以前表现为处理C＞处理B＞处理A,进入灌浆期后各处理的SPAD值均不同程度下降,呈现出处理A＞处理B＞处理C的态势;各处理单株干物质积累在生育期内呈“S”型变化趋势,处理A的叶、穗干物质积累分别较处理C高出17.39%和0.69%;产量差异在处理间均达到显著或极显著水平,处理A比处理B、处理C分别增产10.97%和37.71%。综合考虑到投入与产出,尽管处理B在三种处理中各方面表现中等,但其在实现节水的同时,产量（7 122.46 kg·hm^-2）高于处理C,滴灌带用量较处理A减少了3 333.4 m·hm^-2,因此在本试验条件下冬小麦滴灌带的配置方式以1管5行较为合适。     

Isolation and identification of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in broiler breeder flocks of Guilan province, north of Iran

The aims of the present study were to isolate and serotype, determine the Seroprevalence, Drug susceptibility and diagnosis of infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). In this study 460 serum samples and 220 tracheal swabs, 90 ovaries and oviduct swabs, 90 misshapen egg shells swabs were collected from 22 broiler breeder flocks of 5 companies. Serological results showed that all of the 22 flocks (100%) were positive for ORT infection. Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) antibodies were detected in 289 (62/83%) out of the 460 serum samples. ORT was detected from tracheal swabs of seven flocks (31/81% or 3/18% out of 220 tracheal swabs). There was significant correlation between flock different ages and ORT titers (p<0.05), but correlation of flock ages and ORT isolates was not significantly different (p>0.05). Seven flocks infected with ORT were detected positive in PCR but bacteria were Isolated from only five culture. No ovaries and oviducts, misshapen egg shell swabs yielded ORT. A 784 bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using ORT specific primers in the PCR. All the isolates were identified as serotype A by Rapid Agglutination Test. Drug sensitivity test using standard disk diffusion technique was performed with 27 antibiotics. Antibiotic susceptibility for Quinolons family was seen more than the others and Cephalosporins family except to Cephalexin. The isolates were 80-100% susceptible to Tetracycline family and the most antibiotic resistant were seen for Aminopenicillins, Polypeptides, Sulfanamides and 80-100% resistant to Aminoglycoside family. Eighty percent of the isolates were resistant to Licomycin and 60% were moderate sensitive to Lincomycin. This study is the first report of prevalence of ORT, bacterial isolation, biochemical characteristics, serotyping and molecular method (PCR) in broiler breeder flocks in Guilan province of Iran.     

Effects of grazing and precipitation on herbage production,herbage nutritive value and performance of sheep in continental steppe

The present study highlights the effects of sheep grazing and precipitation on herbage and animal performance in a grazed steppe of Inner Mongolia. Experimental data were collected during grazing periods of four consecutive years (2005–2008), and effects were analysed across a gradient of seven grazing intensities. Variation in annual precipitation, reflected by the effect of ‘year’, was the major factor affecting herbage; i.e., the production and nutritive value of herbage increased with increasing precipitation. Herbage parameters were also affected by grazing intensity, as herbage production (HP) and herbage nutritive yields decreased, while herbage nutritive values increased with increasing grazing intensity. The grazing‐induced decrease in herbage nutritive yields suggests that decreases in HP offset the positive effect of grazing on the nutritive value. Liveweight gain (LWG) was predominantly affected by grazing intensity, as LWG per sheep and per ha decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing grazing intensity. However, responses varied among years: LWG per sheep was maximized by light grazing in the drought year and by moderate grazing the wet year. Our results showed that herbage shortage at high grazing intensities reduces LWG per sheep and thus diminishes responses in LWG per ha. Nevertheless, the highest grazing intensity provides highest animal production per ha in the short term; however, this is not sustainable in the mid‐ and long term because decreasing HP induces degradation processes. Based on our results, a reduction in grazing intensity that still provides 78% of the maximum LWG per ha meets the requirements of a sustainable grazing management.     

Diagnostic accuracy of Doppler ultrasonography in differentiation between malignant and benign cervical lymphadenopathies in pediatric age group

Cervical lymphadenopathy is a relatively common finding in pediatric age group and is caused by a wide spectrum of diseases from transient infections to malignancies especially lymphomas. The present study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of grey-scale ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasonography and power Doppler ultrasonography in differentiation of reactively and metastatically enlarged cervical lymph nodes in pediatric age group. Fifty children with cervical lymphadenopathies were assessed by ultrasonographic methods. In each patient, the longest (L) and transverse (T) diameters, L/T ratio and presence or absence of the normal hilar pattern were checked by grey-scale ultrasonography. Spectral parameters (resistive and pulsatility indices) and vascular distribution pattern of nodes were recorded by color and power Doppler ultrasonography, respectively. Following the ultrasonographic evaluations, biopsy and/or clinical follow up was applied for six months, based on the clinical and paraclinical findings. Statistical analyses were performed by chi-square test, independent t-test and receiver operator characteristic curves. The mean age of patients was 12.42 +/- 2.42 years. Twenty eight patients (56%) had malignant enlargement of lymph nodes. The mean value of L/T ratio in malignant group was 1.70 +/- 0.22 and 2.40 +/- 0.38 in non-malignant nodes (p < 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of combined grey-scale and power Doppler ultrasonography were 70, 86 and 81%, respectively. Combination of grey-scale and power Doppler ultrasonography is recommended for the differentiation between the malignant and benign lymphadenopathies in children. Moreover, our findings revealed no diagnostic role of color Doppler ultrasonography in the selection of malignant cervical lymph nodes in children.     

Cholestatic syndromes of infancy

This study aimed to provide the analysis of clinical presentation, results of laboratory and imaging investigations as well as clinical outcome of children with cholestasis. Infants with neonatal cholestasis referred to Children's Hospital from 2002 to 2007 were participated in the study in a cross-sectional prospective study. Appropriate diagnostic criteria and tests were employed for diagnosis the underlying etiologies of neonatal cholestasis. One year mortality rate was determined. One hundred twenty one infants, 75 males and 46 females, with the mean age of 58.3 +/- 15.3 (14-120) days were enrolled in study. Jaundice (94.2%) and hepatomegaly (66.1%) were the most frequent symptom and signs on admission. Idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (36.4%), extrahepatic biliary atresia (24.8%), metabolic disease (20.7%), intrahepatic ductal paucity (10.7%), intrauterine infection (3.3%) were the most frequent causes of neonatal cholestasis. One year mortality was 5.8%. There is still not one effective and specific diagnostic method in differentiating between the causes of cholestasis in the newborns and infants. Some potentially important differences in the disease pattern, initial presentation and long-term outcome are suggested from the present study when compared to previous reports from other parts of the world.     

Impact of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphism on the Risk of Gastric Cancer and Its Interaction with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background

Attempts for early detection of gastric cancer have recently focused on host''s genetic susceptibility factors and gene-environment interactions. We have, herein, studied the association of MTHFR C677T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and its interaction with Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, age and gender on the risk of gastric cancer among an Iranian population.

Methods

Gastric cancer patients (n = 450) and cancer-free controls (n = 780) were studied for serum H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA and MTHFR C677T polymorphism (SNP) by PCR-RFLP. Demographic and life style data were collected through patient interviews. Unconditional logistic regression model estimated odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The interactions of MTHFR genotype with H. pylori infection (P = 0.03), age (P = 0.049) and gender (P = 0.007) were statistically significant. Accordingly, MTHFR C677T carriers who were also positive for H. pylori infection exhibited 80% (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-2.9) significant excess risk of non-cardia gastric cancer. Furthermore, subjects over the age of 50 or female subjects carrying MTHFR C677T SNP showed 40 (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.0) and 100 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.2) percent increased risk of gastric cancer, respectively.

Conclusion

MTHFR C677T SNP seems to increase the risk of gastric cancer and the effect is significantly inflated by interactions with H. pylori infection, age and gender. Key Words: Helicobacter pylori, Smoking, Gender identity, Age group, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase     

Promotive effects of long-term fertilization on growth of tissue culture-derived Hypericum polyanthemum plants during acclimatization

The effect of long-term fertilization supply on biomass yield and secondary metabolites accumulation was assessed in vegetative and reproductive parts of acclimatized field grown plants of Hypericum polyanthemum, an endemic species of southern Brazil. Fertilization caused positive responses in plant growth with biomass increment of vegetative and reproductive parts, proportional to the MS solution concentration (25%, 50% and 100%), whereas the chemical analyses indicated that the supply of fertilization solution did not alter the concentration of 6-isobutyryl-5,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-benzopyran (HP1), 7-hydroxy-6-isobutyryl-5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-benzopyran (HP2), uliginosin B as well as total phenolic compounds (TPCs), and increased the accumulation of 5-hydroxy-6-isobutyryl-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-benzopyran (HP3) in all fertilization regimes.     

云南大叶种茶树籽油的特征指标与脂肪酸组成研究

采用化学滴定及气相色谱等手段,对产自云南普洱的5个大叶种茶树籽油及8个常见食用植物油的特征指标(折光指数、相对密度、碘值、皂化值)和脂肪酸组成进行了对比研究.结果表明,5个大叶种茶树籽油折光指数为1.4629～1.4634;相对密度为0.9148～0.9167;碘值为859～903 g·kg-1;皂化值为189.0～1...     

Determination of the Level and Position of Substitution in Hydroxypropylated Starch by High-Resolution1H-NMR Spectroscopy ofAlpha-limit Dextrins

Eleven hydroxypropylated starch samples were thinned by bacterialalpha-amylase at 80 °C prior to¹H-NMR analysis on a 400 MHz instrument. Hydroxypropyl (HP) levels were calculated from the intensity of the HP methyl signal (1·18 ppm) compared with that of the methylene and methine (HCO) multiplet (3·2–4·1 ppm). HP values determined by¹H-NMR correlated well with those determined by the colorimetric Johnson procedure. Anomeric proton signals in the spectra ofalpha-limit dextrins were used to identify the positions of HP substitution. Methyl 2-O-, 3-O- and 6-O-hydroxypropyl-α-d-glucopyranosides were synthesized, and only the 2-ether shifted the H-1 signal. Eight HP starches with a molar substitution of 0·05–0·23 had 67–78% HP on O-2, 15–29% on O-3 and 2–17% on O–6.     

Lipids and Tocopherols in Serum and Liver of Female Rats Fed Diets Containing Corn Oil or Cottonseed Oil

Growing female rats were fed diets containing either corn oil (CO) or cottonseed oil (CSO) to determine if the previously reported lowering effect of CSO versus CO on serum total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was sex specific and to compare the effect of these two oils on serum and tissue concentrations of RRR-alpha-tocopherol (α-T) and RRR-gamma-tocopherol (γ-T), the two major tocopherols in these oils. In a 4-week study, groups of rats (n=10 each) were fed diets containing 100 g/kg of either CO or CSO. TC was lower for group CSO than group CO. Serum concentrations of HDL-C, non-HDL-C, triglycerides (TGs), as well as the TC/ HDL-C ratio and the hepatic concentrations of cholesterol and TGs, were unaffected by diet. For serum and liver, between-group differences were noted for the concentrations of α-T (where values were higher for group CSO) and γ-T (where values were lower for group CSO). These differences reflected differences between the oils in their concentrations of these tocopherols. Thus, CSO has a lowering effect on TC for both sexes, but on HDL-C for male animals only; replacement of CO with CSO results in changes in tocopherol status.     

Effect of full-fat or defatted rice bran on serum cholesterol

Rice bran has been shown to lower serum cholesterol in hamsters. Leghorn cockerel chicks were fed 60% full-fat rice bran (FFRB) and corn/soy (CS) diets with 0.5% added cholesterol. Both diets contained 19% protein. All reported parameters are on blood serum. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL and LDL). In a second study, chicks were fed FFRB, defatted rice bran (DFRB), and CS diets balanced for 18% protein, 14.47% total dietary fiber and 10.78% lipid with 0.5% added cholesterol. Both TC and TG were significantly lower (p<0.05) in chicks fed FFRB and CS diets. Significant differences were found in HDL values for all diets with FFRB exhibiting the highest mean value (155 mg/dl) and CS exhibiting the lowest mean value (114 mg/dl). All diets were significantly different (p<0.05) in LDL, with mean values of 249, 318 and 275 mg/dl for FFRB, DFRB and CS, respectively. FFRB appears to increase HDL and to lower LDL in chicks, but does not always affect TC, whereas DFRB may increase all three serum lipid components.Contribution No. 2575, Montana Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with Western Regional Research Center, USDA.     

Immunosuppressive proteins isolated from spiral and coccoid cytoplasmic solutions of Helicobacter pylori

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative proteins that probably have a role in Helicobacter pylori evade of immune response and cause chronic infection disease and also to see if coccoid form had a role in its chronicity. H. pylori strain VacA s2/m2 positive and CagA negative, from a gastric biopsy of a patient with peptic ulcer disease, was isolated and cultured in brucella agar. Both spiral and coccoid forms were harvested and ruptured by sonication. The cytoplasmic solutions of both forms were collected and their fractions obtained by gel chromatography and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fractions were analyzed by MTT assay for their antiproliferative activity. We isolated two proteins with a significant dose dependent antiproliferative activity that analyzed with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, one of them that was urease positive showed two bands with 61 and 27 kDa, which is resumed to urease of H. pylori, another consist of 57 and 63 kDa. Helicobacterpylori secret some proteins like urease that inhibit immune cells proliferation response against its antigens.     

No detected hepatitis B virus-DNA in thalassemic patients infected by hepatitis C virus in Kerman province of Iran

This research was aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical impact of occult HBV infection in thalassemic patients with chronic HCV infection. In this cross-sectional study we have totally examined 60 patients suffering HBV and HCV infections by PCR and RT-PCR methods, respectively, in Kerman province of Iran. ELISA technique (RADIM, Italy) was used to detect anti-HBc, anti-HBs and HBsAg. The serum level of liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, DB, TB and ALK) were analyzed in the HCV infected patients (MAN, IRAN). Statistical analyses performed using t-test and Chi-square. We found that 27 cases (out of 60) were infected by HCV but HBV-DNA was not seen in HCV infected patients. Present findings also showed that none of samples were HBsAg positive but 9 (33%) (out of 27) HCV-RNA positive patients were anti-HBc positive and 11 (40.7%) were positive for anti-HBs. We found that SGOT, SGPT, DB, TB and ALK are above normal in 27 (100%), 19(70.3%), 12(44.5%), 15 (55.5%) and 15 (55.5%) RNA-HCV positive patients, respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis C infection is very high in thalassemic patients and based on other studies our results showed that the prevalence of HCV infection in Kerman is more than other provinces of Iran. In contrast with other studies HBV-DNA in these patients could not be detected, hence, it seems that occult HBV infection isn't frequent in Iranian thalassemic patients who suffering from chronic HCV infection.