ABSTRACT
Primary malignant bone tumors are heterogeneous groups of neoplasms, which affect mainly children and adolescents. The most common types are Osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Elevation of sCD30 and sCD40L has been observed in lymphoma, leukemia and autoimmune disorders. To evaluate serum concentrations of sCD30 and sCD40L in patients with primary malignant bone tumors. Fifty-four cases [31 Osteosarcomas, 14 Ewing sarcomas, and 9 Chondrosarcomas] and 54 healthy controls enrolled in this study. Cases with the history of prior treatment [surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy] were excluded from the study. Serum levels of sCD30 and sCD40L were detected by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Mean serum concentration of sCD30 in Ewing sarcoma was significantly higher than that of the control groups [p=0.007], but mean serum concentrations of sCD30 in osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma groups were not significantly different, compared to the controls [p=0.41 and p=0.11, respectively]. Mean serum concentrations of sCD40L in osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma groups were significantly higher than that of the control group [p<0.0001]. In addition, the mean serum level of sCD40L in chondrosarcoma patients was higher than that of both Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma groups [p<0.001]. sCD30 and sCD40L increase in primary bone tumors; however the significant of these findings for diagnosis or prognosis of these tumors needs further investigation
ABSTRACT
Gastoesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in today's clinic practice. GERD symptoms are troublesome and disruptive to the physical, social and emotional well-being of many patients. This is a cross-sectional study performed on Qashqai nomads or Fars Province in southern Ian to determine the impact of GERD on quality of life. We randomly selected 748 subjects over the age of25 years. Subjects completed two questionnaires conducted by interviews. The first one consisted of questions on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The second questionnaire was the Short Form Health Survey [SF-36], a generic health-related quality of life instrument that consists of 36 items divided into eight dimensions. It has a 0-to 100 point scale where higher scores show better functioning and well-being. Of 748 Qashqai migrating nomads who participated in the study, 717 subjects [mena age: 43 +/- 14.2 years] completed the GERD questionnaire and only 372 subjects completed the SF-36 questionnaire due to their busy lifestyles, and GERD was reported in 106 subjects [28.5%]. For all dimensions of SF-36, the mean score was consistently lower in patients with GERD was reported in 106 subjects [28.5%]. For all dimensions of SF-36, the mean score was consistently lower in patients with GERD compared to non-GERD subjects [P<0.001]. The dimension most frequently impaired was role-physical [40.9 vs. 77.3] followed by role-emotional [44.7 vs. 77.5], physical functioning [66.9 vs. 84.6], and general health [46.8 vs. 63.8]. An association existed between impairment in quality of life and frequency [P<0.05], but not severity, of GERD symptoms