Polymorphisms in NOS3, ACE and PAI-1 genes and risk of spontaneous recurrent miscarriage in the Gaza Strip

This study was conducted to investigate the correlation between spontaneous recurrent miscarriage [RM] and common polymorphisms in angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE], plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 [PAI-1] and endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase 3 [NOS3] genes among women experiencing RM in the Gaza Strip. The presence of these genetic profiles was determined for 100 women who had had at least 3 constitutive abortions and 100 controls without any history of abortion using molecular biological techniques. The ACE D/D polymorphism was present in 49% of the study population and in 54% of the controls [p = 0.479]. Similarly, there was no significant difference detected in the distribution of polymorphisms for PAI-1, with the 4G/4G genotype present in the study group and in controls [p = 1.00]. NOS3 4a/4a was present in 4% of the study group and in none of the 100 controls [p = 0.123]. In this study, we also discovered a new variant in the NOS3 gene which was named 4c allele and was encountered in 1 patient and in 1 control subject. There was no significant association between ACEI/D, PAI-1 4G/5G and NOS3 4a/4b and the occurrence of first-trimester RM. In-depth investigation of the association of NOS3 4a/4a with RM is strongly recommended

Calpain-10 gene polymorphism in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in the Gaza strip

To examine the role of calpain-10 SNP-44, -43, -63 and del/ins-19 in genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] and associations with triglycerides and total cholesterol in a group of subjects residing in the Gaza Strip. Ninety-six individuals were examined: 48 T2DM patients and 48 controls. The groups were genotyped for calpain-10 SNP-44, -43, -63, and del/ins-19. Mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction was used to examine SNP-44; del/ins-19 was examined by electrophoresis of the PCR product on agarose gel, while the restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used for SNP-43 and -63. There was evidence that the C allele at SNP-44 played a possible role in susceptibility to T2DM [p = 0.01]. T2DM patients with G/A genotype were found to have higher levels of total cholesterol in comparison to those homozygous for allele 1 [G/G] in SNP-43. Total cholesterol levels increased in T2DM patients who are homozygous for del/ins-19 allele 2, in T2DM patients with the 121/221 haplotype combination, and in control subjects with the haplotype combination 111/121. SNP-44 polymorphism of the calpain-10 gene has a significant association with T2DM patients in the Gaza strip. Certain polymorphisms of calpain-10 also have associations with the levels of total cholesterol in both T2DM patients and controls

Relation between brain natriuretic peptide [BNP] and congestive heart failure among hypertensive patients in Gaza strip

Brain natriuretic peptide [BNP] has been established as a new and reliable laboratory marker for congestive heart failure [CHF]. BNP is a neurohormone secreted by the cardiac ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload. This study aimed to ascertain whether an association exists between the level of BNP hormone and CHF among hypertensive patients. Retrospective design [case-control study] was used to collect data from 75 patients with CHF and history of hypertension [case group], and 75 patients with history of hypertension only [control group]. CHF subjects consisted of fourteen subjects with acute heart failure, and fifty six subjects with chronic heart failure. CHF group was also classified into four classes; the diagnosis and classification of CHF were done according to the New York Heart Association [NYHA] by two cardiologists. Self report structure interview and Ethylenediamine tetracetic acid [EDTA] blood samples were obtained from both groups. In this study we used Abbott AxSYM in conjunction with a recently available immunoassay kit for BNP hormone MEIA [Microparticles Enzyme Immuno Assay] system. T-test, Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA-I were used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed a significant relationship between BNP hormone and CHF [P value=0.00]. The obtained data suggest that the measurement of BNP levels may be helpful in the diagnosis and prognosis of CHF and in selecting patients for further evaluation

Viral, bacterial and parasitic etiology of pediatric diarrhea in Gaza, palestine

To determine the etiology of acute diarrhea in Palestinian children under 5 years of age and to improve knowledge of the etiology of gastrointestinal pathogens using traditional and molecular diagnostic techniques. Various common enteropathogens [viral, bacterial and parasites] associated with diarrhea were investigated by conventional and molecular techniques [PCR] in 150 children less than 5 years of age admitted to the Central Pediatric Hospital, Gaza Strip, Palestine. The occurrence of enteropathogens identified was as follows: rotavirus 42/150 [28%], Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 23/150 [15%], Shigella spp. 9/150 [6%], Campylobacter coli/jejuni and Escherichia coli O157:H7 7/150 [5%] each, Salmonella spp. 3/150 [2%], Giardia intestinalis 1/150 [1%], and Strongyloides stercoralis 1/150 [1%] of the samples. Shigella and Salmonella isolates were tested for their susceptibility to common antimicrobial agents and most of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. This study demonstrated that rotavirus, E. coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter, which are not routinely screened for in Gaza Strip, were significant enteropathogens. The results highlight the value of using a combination of traditional and PCR techniques in the diagnosis of enteropathogens related to gastroenteritis

Rotavirus infection in infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis in Gaza, Palestine

To detect rotavirus antigen in infants and young children with acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis. Rotavirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Fecal samples from 150 children with ages ranging from 1 month to 5 years, living in Gaza, who presented with acute diarrhea episodes, were analyzed for rotavirus antigen. The analysis was carried out using an immunochromatography-based diagnostic kit [The Rota Stick One-Step test, Novamed Ltd, Jerusalem]. The study was conducted during the peak diarrheal season [May-August] of the year 2005. Rotavirus was detected in 28% [42/150] of the fecal specimens examined, and the majority of patients 90% [38/42], who were positive for the virus were 1 to 24 months old, and the infection rate decreased with increasing age. The highest rate of rotavirus antigen detection was observed among the 12 to 24 months age group 41.9%. Children infected with rotavirus were more likely to have watery stool [95.2%], vomiting [92.9%], moderate dehydration [14.3%] and fever has low frequency [73.8%]. The findings of this study demonstrate that rotavirus is one of the most frequently detected, yet a routinely neglected pathogen during stool examinations in Gaza strip health laboratories. Timely diagnosis of rotavirus infection in patients with acute diarrhea helps to determine appropriate treatment, prevents the unnecessary use of antibiotics and minimizes the spread of the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report on occurrence of rotavirus infection among children of Gaza since 1994

Entamoeba histoloytica or entamoeba dispar among children in Gaza, Gaza strip?

Most physicians in Gaza prescribe medicaments for patient's suffering from Entamoeba histolytica/dispar without parasitologic diagnosis. Additionally, stool analysis performed by the routine methods usually reports the species as E. histolytica without confirmation. In this study, 92 stool specimens were collected and analyzed by wet mount, iron haematoxylin staining, antigen detection of E. histolytica and polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The total number of E. histolytica identified by PCR was 64 that of E. dispar was 21. Mixed infection with both E. histolytica and E. dispar was evident in 7 specimens. In the light of these results, approximately 30% of suspected clinical amoebiasis cases were negative for E. histolytica. It is recommended to use PCR for diagnosis of stool specimens from patients with E. histolytica/dispar and that treatment should be prescribed for only patients positive for E. histolytica