Relation between hypercholesterolaemia and vascular endothelial microinflammation

We investigated the correlation between hypercholesterolaemia and oxidative stress and P-selectin and interleukin-6 [IL-6] as markers for endothelial status. We studied 40 Egyptian adults with asymptomatic hypercholesterolaemia and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher [P < 0.001] in the study group and positively correlated with cholesterol [P < 0.001] and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] [P < 0.002]. Glutathione peroxidase activity was also significantly higher [P < 0.001] with positive correlation with cholesterol [P < 0.001] and LDL [P < 0.001]. Markers for endothelial cell function were significantly higher in the study group [P < 0.001] with a positive correlation with cholesterol [P < 0.001] and LDL [P < 0.001]. Hypercholesterolaemia causes endothelial microinflammation, and P-selectin and IL-6 may also be risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Serum transferrin receptor and transferrin receptor/ferritin ratio distinguish iron deficiency in anemia of chronic disorders in children

This study included 44 anemic children: 20 children were iron deficiency anemia [group I], 14 children suffering from iron deficiency anemia in the presence of acute infection [group II] and 10 children had anemia of chronic disorders [group III]. In addition, 20 healthy children were included as a control group. Complete blood count, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin and serum transferrin receptor [sTfR] were assayed in all patients groups. It was concluded that the increase in sTfR among patients with anemia of chronic disease reflects the increased demand for iron in the erythroid cells; thus sTfR level can be used in distinguishing the coexistence of iron deficiency anemia in anemia of chronic inflammatory diseases

Detection of hepatitis E virus in greater Cairo two wastewater treatment plants and its prevalence among workers of these plants

Because of inadequate public sanitation, epidemics of HEV infection have been reported in several developing countries. HEV-specific cDNA was prepared by reverse transcription of the total RNA extracted from water samples. Specified DNA amplification by PCR demonstrates the presence of HEV in sewage samples from the inlets [PCR positive 10/36:27.77%], while outlet samples were PCR negative. HEV IgM was detected in 40 workers out of 78 in these two studied plants [age 20-60 years], with a percentage of 51.25% and HAV IgM was also detected in 3 workers out of 78 [3.84%]. The study of serum ALT and albumin level go with the increase in HEV IgM in sera. This study which was carried out in two different wastewater treatment plants showed that HEV contamination was higher in one of them [El-Berka] than El-Zenin. A total of 33.33% of influent water samples were positive and 55.25% of workers were HEV IgM positive in the first plant [E1-Berka] and the corresponding figure in the other plant [El-Zenin] showed lower contamination, 22.22% in influent water sample and 40.9% of workers