Effect of methotrexate on serum levels of IL-1alpha and IL-8 in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease affects many tissues and organs, but principally attacks flexible [synovial] joints. Methotrexate is the most commonly used disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methotrexate on serum levels of IL-1alpha and IL-8 in rheumatoid arthritis. Blood samples were collected from 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis [25 patients without treatment and 25 patients are received methotraxate] and from 30 healthy age and sex matched individuals served as controls. Serum IL-1alpha and IL-8 were measured by means of enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. The present results showed that serum levels of IL-1alpha and IL-8 were significantly higher in RA patients than in healthy controls [P<0.01], furthermore, level of IL-1alpha was significantly decrease in patients treated with methotraxate as compared to those patients who have received no treatment [P<0. 01]. On the other hand serum level of IL-8 didn't showed any significant differences between patients treated with methotraxate and those patients without treatment [P>0. 05]. These finding demonstrate that methotrexate turns out to be a good inhibitor for IL-alpha production. In addition, IL-1alpha and IL-8 may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, and could be use as.

HLA class I and II genotyping by PCR-SSO in patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic autoimmune disease that involves destruction of the pancreatic beta cells. It is well known that both genetic and environmental factors involved in pathogenesis of type-1diabetes mellitus. This study seeks to determine whether there is any association between human leukocyte antigen class I and II alleles and type-1diabetes mellitus. Seventy type-1 diabetes mellitus patients compared to 30 apparently healthy individual were enrolled in this study. Human leukocyte antigens genotyping were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction sequence specific oligonucleotide technique. The present study revealed significantly high frequency of DQB1*0101 and DQB1*0201 alleles among patients in comparison with healthy control, while there was significantly low frequency of each HLA-A*3301, B*0826, DRB1*0701, *1101 and HLA-DQB1*0604 alleles in patients as compared to healthy controls. These findings indicate that higher frequency of HLA-DQB1*0101 and *0201 alleles may be a risk factor for type-1diabetes mellitus, meanwhile low frequency of HLA-A*3301, B*0826, DRB1*0701, *1101 and HLA-DQB1-*0604 alleles could be a protective factor

Long-term follow-up of persistent truncus arteriosus: Kuwait experience

To evaluate the long-term results of patients in Kuwait who were operated for persistent truncus arteriosus [PTA]. The following data were collected for retrospective analysis from 24 medical records of consecutive patients with PTA in Kuwait between August 1993 and August 2009: demographics, morphology, management and outcome. Major associated abnormalities included interrupted aortic arch in 1 patient and abnormal coronary artery anatomy in 2. Of the 24 patients, 16 underwent total intracardiac repair. The age at operation ranged from 15 days to 5 years [mean 166.19 +/- 438.63 days] and weight ranged from 2.5 to 15 kg [mean 4.3 +/- 3.01 kg]. The right ventricle to pulmonary artery continuity was established with aortic homograft in 11, pulmonary homograft in 4 and by implantation of a Contegra conduit in 1 patient. Four patients had moderate truncal valve regurgitation requiring concomitant truncal valve repair. After a mean follow-up period of 81.81 +/- 61.58 months [range 3-166] there was no death. Eight of the 16 [50%] patients underwent redo homograft operations. One patient who had concomitant truncal valve repair subsequently underwent aortic valve replacement. The data showed that complete repair of PTA in the neonatal and early infancy period was the treatment with the best potential for survival. The homograft remained one of the conduits of choice to establish continuity between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery in spite of the high incidence of conduit redo operations

Toward establishing normal waist circumference in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East [Arab] populations. Cutoff values for waist circumference in Iraqi adults

Determination of cutoff points for waist circumference [WC] is of paramount importance for prevention, optimum management, and prognosis of obesity, the metabolic syndrome [MetS], type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease. The aim of this project was to establish cut-off levels for waist circumference in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East [Arab] populations in Basrah, Iraq. This was a community-based cross-sectional survey for establishing normal value of WC from one district in Basrah [Abu-Al-khasib]. A multiple stratified sampling procedure was used for sample selection. The cutoff level yielding the maximal sensitivity plus specificity for predicting the presence of multiple risk factors was 97cm in men and 99 cm in women. Sensitivity and specificity using these cut-off values were 70% and 50% respectively in men and 70% and 45% respectively in women. We propose an optimal cutoff point of WC for the diagnosis of MetS in the Iraqi population: 99 cm in women and 97 men

HLA Profile in Iraqi rheumatic valvulitis patients

Human leukocyte antigen [LILA] is the most polymorphic genetic system in man. The genes of this region influence susceptibility to certain disease. This study was established to shed light on the possible association of HLA class I and II antigens with RV patients. Lymphocvtotoxicity assay for HLA for class I and II typing had been done for [100] iraqi patients suffering from rheumatic valvulitis [RV] the control groups consisting of [75 healthy individuals and 35 non rheumatic heart disease [NRHD] patients]. The results showed a significant association of A33-Ag with these patients as compared with healthy and cardiac controls [P=0.005][P=0.033] respectively. Another interesting finding was the low frequency of AI in RI patients when compared with heal/he control [p=0.002], suggesting that Al allele may confer protective effect against this disease. In addition significant association between blood group B and RV was evident [p=0.04] An interesting observation was a strong association of blood group B and A33 among those patients [P < 0.001]. The present results are consistent with hypothesis that susceptibility to RV is genetically linked and in turn may be associated mainly with A33 in Iraqi patients

Possible association of HLA class-1 molecules with colorectal cancer in Iraqi patients

Genetic factors were found to play a crucial role in the development of colorectal cancer. This study was established to shed light on the possible association of HLA class-1 antigens and CRC patients, and to correlate the findings with both family history and tumor location.. Lymphocytotxicity assay has been used to assess HLA-typing of 150 blood samples of 100 CRC patients and 50 healthy normal controls in College of Dentistry/ University of Baghdad. Comparison between CRC patients and healthy controls showed several antigens, deviations in their frequencies. HLA-A2, A28 and B39 antigens were observed with increased frequencies in patient's group with significant differences [P< 0.008, 0.011 and 0.023 respectively; moreover, yet however statistical analysis showed non significant correlation of these specific HLA-Ags with both family history of CRC and tumor location. This finding demonstrated that HLA A2, A28 and B39 might play a role in CRC susceptibility

Anemia and nutritional status of schoolchildren living at Saudi high altitude area

To estimate the prevalence and possible risk factors for anemia and abnormal anthropometric measurements among schoolchildren in Al-Hada Area, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We conducted the study between January and April, 2005 at Al-Hada area. A nested case-control study was conducted to estimate risk factors for anemia and abnormal anthropometric measurements. From 5 schools, 513 students were recruited. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 13.4 +/- 0.9 g/dL, while the prevalence of anemia was 11.6% and 15.5% based on hemoglobin and hematocrit values. At the same time, underweight affected 14.2% of the students, and stunting affected 12.2%. Moreover, 9.8% of the students were obese and 13.8% suffered from wasting. Most of the victims of anemia and erroneous anthropometric measurements were females, except for wasting which was more prevalent among males. Anemia is highly prevalent among these schoolchildren, which is seriously affecting the growth of 6-14 year-old children. Similarly, malnutrition seems to be a significant health problem among those children as estimated by anthropometric measurements, where all forms of abnormal body measurements affected at least 9.8% of the studied group. An in-depth investigation of the etiological factors of iron deficiency and malnutrition is urgently needed, and suitable nutrition-education and iron supplementation programs are recommended

Computers in general practice: patients' attitudes

A four item questionnaire was given to patients as they left the consulting room to express their wishes on the use of a computer by their family doctor. The proportion of the total consulting time spent by the doctor entering data in the computer was measured to find if that had any bearing on patients' responses. Ninety six% of the patients who witnessed the use of the computer did not find it distracting, and 90.4% of patients thought that it was an advantage for doctors to use computers. The results show that patients' responses are not related to the length of time spent by the doctor using the computer, and that the vast majority of patients accept the presence of a computer in the consulting roomtheir wishes on the use of a computer by their family doctor. The proportion of the total consulting time spent by the doctor entering data in the computer was measured to find if that had any bearing on patients' responses. Ninety six% of the patients who witnessed the use of the computer did not find it distracting, and 90.4% of patients thought that it was an advantage for doctors to use computers. The results show that patients' responses are not related to the length of time spent by the doctor using the computer, and that the vast majority of patients accept the presence of a computer in the consulting room