Clinical Utility of promoter methylation of the tumor suppressor genes DKK3, and RASSF1A in breast cancer patients

Background: DNA methylation is the commonest known epigenetic change that results in silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Promoter methylation of tumor suppressor genes has the potential for early detection of breast cancer

Aim: Aim is to examine the potential usefulness of blood based methylation specific polymerase chain reaction [MSP] of methylated DKK3 and RASSF1A genes in early detection of breast cancer

Method: Methylation status of DKK3 and RASSF1 was investigated in forty breast cancer patients, twenty fibroadenoma patients and twenty healthy ladies as control group using MSP

Results: Methylation of DKK3 promoter was found in 22.5% of breast cancer patients, while DKK3 methylation was absent in both fibroadenoma patients and control group. Similarly, methylation of RASSF1 promoter was found in 17.5% of breast cancer patients and in none of fibroadenoma and control group

Conclusion: Promoter methylation of DKK3 and RASSF1 was found in breast cancer patients while absent in control group suggesting that tumorspecific methylation of the two genes [DKK3 and RASSF1A] might be a valuable biomarker for the early detection of breast cancer

PCR detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA versus serological diagnosis in women suffering from repeated abortion

This study was conducted to test the utility of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay to detect recent infections with Toxoplasma in pregnant women. T.gondii DNA was detected by using B1 gene as a target for amplification which is highly specific for T.gondii and is well conserved among all of the tested strains. This study revealed the following findings:[l] PCR was positive in 63 subjects, including 58 high risk cases [77.3%] and 5 of controls [12.5%].[2] 17 high risk cases [24.6%] had false positive IgM and 5 of controls [12.5%] had false negative result for IgM. [3] 17 high risk cases [32.7%] had false positive IgG and 5 of controls [12.5%] had false negative IgG. [4] No significant association between eating raw meat or contact with cats and positive ELISA for PCR but there is highly significant association between women with contact with soil and positive PCR. [5] No significant relation between residency and either ELISA or PCR. [6] Significant negative correlation between the age of the studied women and positivity of PCR. this study highlights the need for a confirmatory test to detect primary acute toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. It demonstrates the possibility of defining and selecting the high-risk cases for mother-to-child transmission of infection by combining specific serology and PCR tests to formulate a specific approach

Diagnostic parameters of minimal hepatic encephalopathy: clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging study

Cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy [MHE] have subtle cognitive deficits that can be detected by neuropsychometric tests, P300 event related potential, EEG, and increased signal on T1-weighted brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The present study was designed to assess the magnitude of cognitive dysfunction, a marker of minimal hepatic encephalopathy [MHE];to evaluate diagnostic usefulness of neuropsychological cognitive tests, EEG, P300 ERP latency, and MRI brain signs; and to investigate the clinical outcome of patients with MHE in terms of progression to overt encephalopathy. A total of 43 well-compensated cirrhotic patients without signs of encephalopathy were studied by neuropsychological cognitive test battery, P300 ERP latency, EEG, conventional MRI brain. The patients were followed-up for 2 yrs. to monitor subsequent episodes of overt encephalopathy. Child-Pugh classification was done throughout the study to assess severity of liver cirrhosis. Forty-six healthy subjects, age, sex, and education matched, served as a control group. Minimal HE was diagnosed in 21[48.8%], out of 43 cirrhotic patients. Inverted sleep rhythm was reported in 85.7%, of cirrhotic with MHE. Delayed P3ERP latency were seen in 38.1% of cirrhotic patients with MHE, while Number Connection Test [NCT-A and B] time were prolonged in 71.4% of the patients. EEG abnormality was detected in 47.6%, while MRI signs were reported in 80.9% of cirrhotic with MHE. Out of 43 patients, 18[41.8%] developed overt encephalopathy, 66.7% of the patients with MHE progressed to overt encephalopathy within a mean duration of 9 months, while only 13. 6% of the non-mHE patients did so. Of the patients who developed overt encephalopathy, 83.3% had abnormal EEG, 77. 8% had abnormal NCT, while 59. 3% had P3ERP latency prolongations. The results of the present study suggest that inverted sleep rhythm, abnormal NCT, slow EEG activity, and delayed P300 latency are valid tools for the screening of MHE in cirrhotic patients as there is a greater likelihood of overt encephalopathy development in patients with an abnormality detected by these tests than in patients without such abnormality. EEG is useful for follow-up screening and prediction of the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy

Rheological, physical characteristics and minerals content of some bakery products fortified with papaya and soy bean flour

The present study was carried out to produce cakes, and pies fortified with papaya, and low-fat soy flour [LFS]. Fresh papaya puree [pp] was added to cakes [60g/100g wheat flour] while dried pieces of papya [DP] were added to pies as fillers. LFS partially substituted wheat flour at different levels i.e: [5, 10, 15 and 20%] in both cakes and pies. The rheological characteristics of dough showed differences according to the level of substitution with [LFS], and [pp]. The gluten either wet, or dry decreased. Farinograph and Amylograph parameters showed a remarkable changes due to the level of substitution. The values of water Retention Capacity [WRC] and sedimentation test showed an increment compared to the control as the amount of [LFS] substitution increased. Physical characteristics i.e. weight and volume increased, while specific volume decreased - as [LFS] increased. The samples which contained papaya and [LFS] at levels of 5, 10% recorded slight changes in physical properties compared to those substituted with LFS at 15 or 20%. The reduction percentage of specific volume ranged between 4.22-14.8% and 2.45 - 11.68% in different prepared cakes and pies

risk of cardiovascular disease and depression in health care workers due to workplace bullying

Aims: To examine exposure to workplace bullying as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and depression in employees

Methods: Logistic regression models were related to prospective data from two surveys in a cohort of 969 hospital employees [63 men and 480 women], aged 18-60 years. Outcomes were new reports of doctor diagnosed cardiovascular disease and depression during the two year follow up among those who were free from these diseases at baseline

Results: The prevalence of bullying was 5% in the first survey and 6% in the second survey. Two per cent reported bullying experiences in both surveys, an indication of prolonged bullying. After adjustment for sex, age, and income, the odds ratio of incident cardiovascular disease for victims of prolonged bullying compared to non-bullied employees was 2.3 [95% CI 1.2 to 4.6]. The association between prolonged bullying and incident depression was significant, even after these adjustments [odds ratio 4.2. 95% CI 2.0 to 8.6]

Conclusions: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent depression suggests that bullying is an etiological factor for mental health problems. The victims of bullying also seem to be at greater risk of cardiovascular disease

Impact of schistosomiasis on quality of life and productivity of workers

The effect of schistosomiasis on quality of life [QOL] and productivity of workers was examined. In a textile factory in Alexandria, Egypt, personal, occupational and sociodemographic data were collected from 172 workers with schistosomiasis and 172 workers without schistosomiasis. Several indicators of productivity and the World Health Organization QOL brief were used to determine the impact of schistosomiasis. The disease affected the general, physical and independence, psychological and spiritual, and social domains of QOL. Although the productivity score of workers with schistosomiasis did not differ significantly from the control group, they had significantly lower additional hours of work and lower total incentives/month. A significant relationship was found between severity of schistosomiasis and QOL domains and productivity indicators

Metacyclogenesis of leishmania major in an acidic medium

An acidic medium was used to stimulate the production of a homogenous stationary phase promastigotes, morphologically and functionally similar to the in vivo infective form. They possessed a short [< 8Um] and narrow [< 1.5 Um.] cell body with a flagellum twice or more its length. They were PNA highly infective to peritoneal macrophages in vitro and expressed high phosphates activity. By elevating the incubating temperature, almost all of these promastigotes were transformed to amastigotes

Ras cheese lipolysis made by direct acidification of Buffaloe's milk

Ras cheese was made from buffalo's milk by direct acidification technique using citric, lactic or hydrochloric acid. Starter and/or commercial lipase preparation [palatase 750 L. fungal enzyme] were used for the acceleration of lipolysis in the resultant cheese. Both total volatile fatty acids [TVFA] and acid degree value of cheese fat markedly increased as a result of lipase or starter treatments and the relative concentration of TVFA varied with storage periods at 12 +/- 2C

Prevalence of hepatitis D virus in HBs Ag positive multitransfused children

Polytransfusion with blood or blood products places recipient children at considerable risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus viral infections. To evaluate the current risk of hepatitis D virus infection, this study was conducted in 105 polytransfused children and 50 primary school pupils as controls, a full history and complete clinical examination were done for each child with screening all of them for HBs Ag. The HBs Ag positive members were screened for anti HDV. HDV +ve samples were also tested for HBe Ag, anti HBe and anti HBc IgM. The anti HBc IgM +ve cases were further tested for anti HBs. Liver function tests [total serum bilirubin-alanine aminotransferase ALT] were done for HBs Ag +ve children. The results revealed that anti HDV is significantly prevalent among HBs Ag carries 72% [18 out of 25 cases] a finding which indicates that delta hepatitis is endemic in our locality and this is related to endemicity of HB infection 23% [25 out of 105 cases]. There is significant increase in prevalence of anti HDV [93%] among polytransfused children with history of parental injection-history of jaundice. 16 out of 18 cases [88.88%] of HDV infections were due to superinfection [absence of anti HBc IgM marker], while 2 out of 18 cases [11.11%] were due to co-infection [presence of both anti Bc IgM and anti HDV markers]. There was also significant increase in prevalence of anti HBe [a markers of good prognosis] more than HBe Ag among anti HDV +ve polytransfused children [p <0.05], but the liver function tests showed significant alteration in patients positive for anti HBe than those with negative anti HBe [p <0.001]

Toxic effect of dimethoate on pregnant rats and their offspring 1 Histopathological study

Fifteen pregnant rats with their offspring and five virgin rats were used in this study. The histopathological changes of 1/4 LD 50 doses of dime thoate were examined in parenchymatous organs including liver, kidney in addition to bony changes in the growing ends of long bones. The results were compared with five pregnant and five virgin rats not exposed to the insecticide dimethoate. The results showed distinct degenerative changes up to necrosis in the parenchymatous organ. However the epiphyseal lines showed disturbance of the proliferating cartilage cell as regard number and degree of their maturation.It was concluded that hazardous effects of exposure to these insecticide on pregnancy and off- springs