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Volume 6 (2); 25 June, 2016
Research Paper
Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Aflatoxigenic Strains of Aspergillus Species Using Aflatoxin Genes.
Singh R, Singh G, Urhekar A.D.
Asian J. Med. Pharm. Res., 6(2): 04-08, 2016.; pii:S2252043016000002-6
Abstract
Humans inhale the Aspergillus spores which are present in the environment and they rarely experience complications. However, under special circumstances, Aspergillus species can produce a spectrum of diseases involving lungs and later on other organs and tissues. Aflatoxins are potent hepatocarcinogens and mutagens produced as the secondary metabolites by several Aspergillus species. A total of 81 samples (39 from patients, 39 from environment and 3 American type culture collection controls) were screened for Aflatoxin regulatory gene by using polymerase chain reaction. Out of 39 Aspergillus isolates from patient’s sample, 58.97% indicated presence of Aflatoxin regulatory (aflR) gene, whereas in 39 Aspergillus isolates from environmental samples, 35.89% showed the presence of aflR gene. Difference of 23.05% was statistically significant (Chi-square = 1.77, df = 1, P value < 0.05). American type culture collection control strains showed 100% presence of aflR genes. Our study concluded that aflR genes are normally present in environmental isolates which are activated in the tissues upon entry in patients. The expression of aflR genes was higher in Aspergillus niger (66.66%) followed by Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus brasiliensis, Aspergillus terrus.
Keywords: Aflatoxin genes, Aspergillus, Polymerase chain reaction, Health.
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Research Paper
Oral Manifestations of Hypertension and Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Cross Sectional Study in Elderly Patients.
Farzin M, Derafshi R, Ghapanchi J, Zarin Kafsh A. and Rezaiee M.
Asian J. Med. Pharm. Res., 6(2): 09-13, 2016.; pii:S2252043016000003-6
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases and oral disorders share common risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of oral cavity in patients with cardiovascular diseases. A cross sectional study was performed from September 2015 to December 2015 among patients attended to Cardiovascular Department, Imam Reza Subspecialized Clinic affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. After receiving medical history from each patient, the oral cavity was examined by an oral medicine specialist using proper light, dental mirror and explorer. Data were analyzed using independent sample t test and Chi-square test. Patients had mean age of 62.2 ± 7.6 years (Range: 47-77 years) and 78 (52%) of them were male. Xerostomiain21 patients (14%), denture stomatitis, median rhomboid glossitis and angular chelitis in 12 patients (8%), lichen planus and lichenoid reaction in 8 patients (5.3%) and oral stomatitis and aphtous ulcers in 7 patients (4.7%) were observed. The patients with diabetes mellitus showed more oral symptoms such as burning sensation, angular chelitis, xerostomia and median rhomboid glossitis. No significant association (P=0.999) between type of the drug and presence of oral lesions was detected. Oral lesions were significantly (P=0.047) more common in dentate hypertesnsive patients than patients with rheumatic heart disease. No significant relations were detected between age, sex and presence of the oral lesions in both groups (P>0.05).Our study provided an evidence for association of oral conditions and cardiovascular diseases. Performing further studies in longer time period and with higher number of patients are highly recommended.
Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Oral conditions, Hypertension, Rheumatic heart disease.
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