All Articles

MicroRNA-1285 Might Potentially Regulate OCT4 Gene Expression by Direct Targeting of its Promoter

Abstract:

The human OCT4 gene encodes a transcription factor that maintains pluripotency and self-renewal in Embryonic Stem (ES) cells. This gene generates several known transcripts by alternative promoter and alternative splicing (OCT4A, OCT4B and OCT4B1). Even though OCT4A is the main isoform responsible for stemness properties, several recent controversial studies claimed that this isoform is expressed in cancer cell lines and differentiated cells, in addition to the ES cells. Our in silico studies revealed that OCT4A promoter has a completely match binding site for hsa-miR-1285. This microRNA was detected in the human embryonic stem cells for the first time and further studies showed that miR-1285 can target some tumor suppressor genes,(TSGs), such as p53, and oncogenic genes, such as TGM2.

Additional bioinformatics analysis of short RNA sequencing data from ENCODE cell lines showed that miR-1285 is expr...

Obesity and Asthma: Nutrition Risk Factors In Adolescents

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to confirm the nutritional risk factors for asthma and obesity in adolescents using a cross-sectional survey. We included male and female adolescents aged 10 to 19 years of age in this study. The indicators of nutritional status used in this study were body mass index, the height-for-age index, and arm and waist circumferences. We used a food frequency questionnaire to estimate the average consumption of sodium. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and asthma characteristics were evaluated using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Factors associated with asthma in bivariate and multivariate analyses were assessed using the Poisson regression analysis. The significance level was set at 5%, and the analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical package. We evaluated 1362 students with an average age of 15.65 ± 1.24 years. There was a positive ris...

An Observational Study of Practice Among Food Manufacturers in Defining Serving Sizes of Chocolate Confectionery Products Sold in UK Supermarkets

Abstract:

To provide data on the consistency of recommended serving sizes of single bars and bags of chocolate confectionery products sold in UK supermarkets, in terms of weight and energy content.

The Early Use of Blinding in Therapeutic Clinical Research of Neurological Disorders

Abstract:

We sought to identify early uses of blinding in therapeutic clinical trials of neurological disorders by multiple search methods. A 1784 report by Benjamin Franklin and others described the evaluation of the use of Mesmerism to treat neurological and other syndromes including headache and epilepsy, using blindfolds and screens. This report demonstrated the usefulness of blinding to reduce bias in clinical research, yet despite this early discovery, blinding was not widely accepted or routinely used until the 20^th century. Blinded clinical trials began to be used for various neurological syndromes in the 1950s, sporadically at first and then increasing in frequency in subsequent years. The reason for this delay is unclear, but we propose several hypotheses.

Undergraduate Student’s Perception of HIV/AIDS.A Case of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, NIGERIA

Abstract:

Perception of Human Immunodeficiency Virus has been topical due to its central place in determining attitudes and care for people living with HIV/AIDS and having implications for the containment of the epidemic. People living with HIV/AIDS face social stigmatization due partly to misconception in the perception of the disease and people living with it and students are not left out in this stigmatization and discrimination.

This study aimed at exploring the perception of HIV/AIDS by the students of Obafemi Awolowo University. The study utilized quantitative methodology –questionnaires to elicit information from 160 students on their perception of the disease. The sampling technique was quota sampling technique in which 40 students were randomly selected from each hostel out of the 4 selected hostels.

The findings were that majority of the respondents view the disease and people living with it negatively (53.9) and dangerous (30.9) a...

Horizontal Inequities in the uptake of Hospital Delivery and the Role of Social Determinants in China

Abstract:

To measure the horizontal inequity in the uptake of hospital delivery and quantify the contribution of various social determinants of health (SDH) to such inequity in China from 1993-2008

Role of Helicobacter Pylori in Nasal Polyp Formation: A Case-Control Study in Tehran, Iran

Abstract:

The etiological factors for nasal polyps include infection, inflammation or an imbalance of a metabolic pathway. This study was designed to compare serum Helicobacter pyloriantibodies and H. pylori–DNAs between cases of nasal polyp and controls (nasal fracture).

A Rare Sellar Lesion: Pituitary Actinomyces Infection

Abstract:

Pituitary abscess is extremely rare and often misdiagnosed as pituitary tumor pre-operatively.

We document a case of a 64-year-old lady presented to the outpatient department with complaints of headache and blurring vision of right eye for one month. Based on preliminary investigations, a clinical diagnosis of pituitary adenoma was made and the pituitary gland was surgically excised. Histopathological examination showed Actinomyces infection. This case has been documented due to the extremely rare involvement of the pituitary gland by actinomyces infection. Pituitary abscess is a rare pathology, but it must be considered during evaluating sellar masses, since its prognosis depends on surgical drainage and on the use of specific antibiotics. We report, to our knowledge, the fourth case of Actinomyces israelii infection of the pituitary region.

A Multidisciplinary Approach in The Diagnosis of Allergic and Non-Allergic Respiratory Diseases: Nasal Cytology and Feno.

Abstract:

Upper and lower airway disease is a common condition. Its prevalence is increasing in different areas of the world, but, at present, non-allergic rhinitis is underestimated. The aim of this study was to investigate FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) and nasal cytology in allergic and non-allergic patients, in order to reach a correct diagnosis.

This study was performed on 120 children with rhinitis and/or asthma, evaluated by an allergist and an otolaryngologist. Skin prick-test and nasal cytology were tested in all patients; FeNO only in the asthmatic ones.

The proportion of positive results in nasal cytology was higher in non-allergic than in allergic children: 22 out of 23 patients, vs 91 out of 97 patients. A significant correlation was found between FeNO levels and increase in nasal eosinophil counts.

There is compelling evidence of a close relationship between upper and lower airway in asthma and rhinitis. Th...

Reversible Cerebral Lession and Irreversible Cerebral Necrosis After Cardiorespiratory Arrest: A Case Report

Abstract:

This case contrasts reversible cerebral lesions with areas of irreversible necrosis following cardiorespiratory arrest. The authors discuss imaging evolution, mechanisms of hypoxic–ischemic injury, and implications for prognostication and rehabilitation.