ABSTRACT
Epigenetics involved in multiple normal cellular processes. Previous research have revealed the role of hepatitis C virus infection in accelerating methylation process and affecting response to treatment in chronic hepatitis patients. This work aimed to elucidate the role of promoter methylation (PM) in response to antiviral therapy, and its contribution to the development of fibrosis through hepatocarcinogenesis-related genes. A total of 159 chronic hepatitis Egyptian patients versus 100 healthy control group were included. The methylation profile of a panel 9 genes (SFRP1, p14, p73, APC, DAPK, RASSF1A, LINE1, O6MGMT, and p16) was detected in patients’ plasma using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Clinical and laboratory findings were gathered for patients with combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin antiviral therapy. Regarding the patients’ response to antiviral therapy, the percentage of non-responders for APC, O6MGMT, RASSF1A, SFRP1, and p16 methylated genes were significantly higher versus responders (P<0.05). Of the 159 included patients, the most frequent methylated genes were SFRP1 (102/159), followed by p16 (100/159), RASSF1A (98/159), then LINE1 (81/159), P73 (81/159), APC (78/159), DAPK (66/159), O6MGMT (66/159), and p14 (54/159). A total of 67/98 (68.4%) cases of RASSF1A methylated gene (P=0.0.024), and 62/100 (62%) cases of P16 methylated gene (P=0.03) were associated with mild-degree fibrosis. To recapitulate, the PM of SFRP1, APC, RASSF1A, O6MGMT, and p16 genes increases in chronic hepatitis C patients, and can affect patients’ response to antiviral therapy. The RASSF1A and P16 genes might have a role in the distinction between mild and marked fibrosis.
ABSTRACT
Background: quinolone resistance is traditionally mediated by chromosomal mutations mutation of DNA gyrase and/or topoisomerase IV or by the mutation of genes regulating the expression of efflux pumps, until PMQR was described in a clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae in 1998. PMQR genes generally confer low-level resistance, with their MICs falling below Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI] breakpoints for intermediate resistance; therefore, their contribution to quinolone resistance can be masked in strains also harboring QRDR mutations in gyrA and parC. However, their clinical significance stems from the fact that they greatly facilitate the selection of more highly quinolone-resistant strains. Although the PMQR mechanism only confers low-level resistance to FQs, its association with the occurrence of mutations in QRDR can lead to clinically relevant resistance levels. These PMQR determinants are increasingly being identified worldwide in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp
Aim of the work: this study aimed to identify different mechanisms of fluoroquinolones resistance and determine fluoroquinolones resistance pattern among the studied isolates
Material and methods: this study was carried on 100 non duplicate clinically relevant Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. recovered from clinical specimens referred to Central Microbiology Laboratory, Ain Shams University Hospital for routine culture and sensitivity, aiming to 1] Determine the occurrence of plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolones resistance [PMQR] determinants by multiplex PCR and chromosomal mutations by PCR-RFLP among Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. in clinical specimens. 2] Identify different mechanisms of Fluoroquinolones resistance. 3] Determine Fluoroquinolones resistance pattern among the studied isolates
Results: in this study we found that 77% of FQs resistant isolates were positive to one or more plasmids, oqxAB was highest recovered PMQR among Klebsiella. 78% were positive for gyrA mutations, gyrA gene mutations were higher in Pseudomonas, Asp- 87mutation was 56/78[72%] higher than Ser-83 mutation 38/78 [49%] isolates
ABSTRACT
Aims: Aluminum is widely used in industry and it has been associated with several health hazards among exposed workers. To study the effect of aluminum on the parathyroid gland and the disturbance in calcium and phosphorus metabolism among workers exposed to aluminum in aluminum industry. Methodology: This study was conducted on fifty workers in an aluminum foundry, who were occupationally exposed to aluminum and were compared with fifty non-exposed individuals. Full history was taken, clinical examination and some laboratory investigations were done in the form of: CBC, kidney functions, serum PTH, serum calcium, serum phosphorus and serum aluminum. Plain X-ray was done for workers who were markedly complaining of musculoskeletal symptoms. Environmental measurement of aluminum dusts were carried out in selected workplaces. Study Design: Case control study of aluminum exposed workers. Place and Duration of Study: Aluminum industry in Ain-Helwan, Cairo, Egypt, 2012. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between exposed and control as regards prevalence of parathyroid and musculoskeletal disorders, serum level of the parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum aluminum, creatinine, RBCs count and also there was a statistically significant difference between exposed workers with osteopenia and exposed workers without osteopenia as regards serum aluminum level. The environmental measurements in the workplace were within the permissible limits in Egypt. Conclusion: The elevation of serum aluminum level in workers exposed to environmental level within the permissible limits was associated with disturbance in PTH, calcium and phosphorus metabolism, so these limits should be revised. Periodic medical examination of workers exposed to aluminum is a must; this should include clinical examination, analysis of aluminum in serum, measurement of serum electrolyte (calcium and phosphorus) and bone imaging.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study determines the optimum repair material and technique for a broken conventional acrylic resin denture base in terms of its bending properties. Fifty five rectangular specimens [65x10x2.5 mm in dimensions] were fabricated; twenty specimens were fabricated from the repairs materials [heat cured, self cured, high impact and light cured acrylic resin]. Thirty five specimens were fabricated from clear heat cured acrylic resin and cut perpendicular along the midline into two halves where the inner corners were rounded to be repaired with different repair materials. Two surface pretreatments were used prior to repair: the monomer for three minutes and the methyl-ene chloride for five seconds. All specimens were stored in distilled water for forty eight hours before bending testing under four point loading. It was found that the specimens repair with heat cured acrylic resin pretreated with methylene chloride as well as high impact acrylic resin pretreated with its monomer gave the highest results. The least strength was obtained with light cured acrylic resin repair material