ABSTRACT
The present study has aimed at evaluation of serum hyaluronic acid [HA], and matrix metdloproteinase-2 [MMP-2], as a possible markers of Liver fibrosis, and their association, if any, with other clinical parameters in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. The study included 60 patients with chronic viral hepatitis and 15 normal healthy subjects of matched age and sex as a control group. Detailed history taking, complete clinical examination as well as routine investigations including complete blood picture, liver function tests [serum albumin, bilirubin, AST , ALT, and prothrombin activity], serological tests for HBV, and HCV, serum creatinine, abdominal ultrasonography, and liver histology [so long as there was no contraindication, and after a written consent from those who accept the maneuver], in addition to serum hyaluronic acid [HA], and matrix metalloproteinase [MMP-2] were all undertaken. The study revealed that: both HA and MMP-2 levels were significantly higher in patients [non-cirrhotic or cirrhotic] than the control [P<0.001]. Moreover, their levels exhibited a linear increase with the grade of liver inflammation from the minimal t-o the moderate grade [P<0.001]. In addition, they showed a linear elevation with the progression of the stage of hepatic fibrosis [P<0.001]. Only serum MMP-2 levels were significantly elevated with the deterioration of the Child-Paugh class however, the differences between A and C and Band C were significant [P=0.004, 0.001 respectively]. Both HA and MMP-2 were positively correlated with each other and with serum bilirubin [P<0.001]. They were also negatively correlated with serum albumin [P<0.001] prothrombin and time [P<0.001], and platelet count [P>0.001]. However, they were not correlated with either SGOT or SGPT. It could be concluded that; serum HA and MMP-2 levels were found, not only to be elevated in chronic viral hepatitis than the control, but they became also markedly increased when cirrhosis supervenes. In addition, these markers exhibited a linear elevation with the progression of both the grade of inflammation and the stage of hepatic fibrosis. Thus, they might be considered as an alternative to liver biopsy for assessment of the extent of hepatic fibrosis especially if the biopsy is contraindicated
ABSTRACT
This study included 17 patients with an age ranged 17-42 years. They have thyroid eye disease. MR images of the thyroid gland and orbits were performed on 1.5 Tesla machine. TI weighted images were obtained with repetition time [TR] of about 500 ms and echo time [ET] of 20-25 ms. T2 weighted images were obtained with TR of 2000-2500 ms and TE of 30-80 ms. Excess fat deposition in the retro-bulbar space was reported in 9 cases and muscle involvement was reported in 11 cases. Five cases showed symmetrical enlargement of extra ocular muscles, while 5 cases were asymmetrical and one case was unilateral. The distribution of muscle involvement was in the following order: Inferior rectus 64.7%, medial rectus 52.9%, superior rectus 29.4% and least frequency was in the lateral rectus 17.6%. The enlarged muscles have fusiform expansion with tapering towards muscle tendon. They have signal intensity similar to normal signal intensity of the muscle on TI weighted images. On T2 weighted images, they were hypointense in 10 cases and hyperintense in one case. Lacrimal gland involvement was recorded in 2 cases
Subject(s)
Eye Diseases/etiology , Magnetic Resonance ImagingABSTRACT
The study was performed on 20 aborters 13 of which were seronegative in the blocking factor. The pathological changes especially vasculitis, cellular infiliterate of lymphocytes, histiocytes as well as fibrosis of chorionic villi were more frequent and more marked in these seronegative cases than in seropostive ones. The possible role of absence of blocking factor in production of this changes and hence termination of pregnancy was discussed