ABSTRACT
Type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM], arising through a complex interaction of immune, genetic and environmental factors, results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. Cytokines are critical to the function of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Interleukin-12 p40 production influences T cell response, and may therefore be important in T1DM pathogenesis. To study the changes in IL12 levels in children with T1DM. Fifty T1DM children among those attending diabetes clinic at Zagazig University hospitals, were included in the study. They were 27 males and 23 females [mean age, 9.19 +/- 3.3 years]. Thirty age and sex matched healthy children were serving as a control group. All children were subjected to full history taking, physical examination, complete blood count [CBC], random blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin [HBA1C] and serum IL-12 levels assessed by ELISA. Diabetic children had significantly higher white blood cell count, HBA1C, and IL12 levels than healthy children. While there was no effect of gender on IL12 levels, there were significant increase in IL12 levels in newly diagnosed cases, those with higher body mass index and those who had the poorest glycemic control. Type 1 diabetes is associated with elevation of IL-12 levels. This association is more evident in both newly diagnosed and poorly controlled patients indicating a relevant role of IL-12 in the pathogenesis of the disease
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To study plasma homocysteine and lipoprotein [a] levels together with sum other conventional tisk factors for atherosclerosis in diabetic foot ulcer [DFU] patients in comparism to diabetic palicnts without foot ulceration
Subjects and Methods: The study included 66 patients with type 2 diabetes [37 with DFU and 29 without DFU] and 20 healthy normal subjects of matched age and sex. DFU patients were classified into neuropathic, ischemic or neuroischemic ulcer according to neuropathy disability score. Plasma levels of total homocysteine [tHcy] was measured by enzyme immunoassay while lipoprotein [a] was measured by immunoturbidimetric method. Serum folic acid and vitamin BIZ were measured by radioimmunoassay
Results: Fasting plasma homocysteine and lipoprotein [a] levels were elevated in diabetic patients compared to the control subjects. DFU patients had significantly higher levels of tHcy and Lp[a] in comparison to non-DFU patients. Serum folate was lower in diabetic patients in comparison to the control subjects. DFU patients had significantly lower levels of folic acid in comparison to non-DFU patients. Serum levels of vitamin BIZ showed non significant changes in DFU, non-DFU and control subjects. Urinary albumin excretion [UAE] was significantly higher in the DFU patients in comparison to non-DFU patients. Homocysteine concentration showed significant positive correlation with UAE and Lp[a] and significant negative correlation with serum folic acid
Conclusion: DFU patients had higher levels of homocysteine and lipoprotein [a] and lower levels of folic acid in comparison to diabetic patients without DFU. Hyperhomocysteinemia and hyperlipoproteinemia [a] may partially explain the increased risk of macrovascular complications in DFU patients
ABSTRACT
This is a retrospective analysis of 14 patients with foramen magnum meningiomas over 12 years. Two types were encountered: craniospinal type [64.3%] and spinocranial type [35.7%]. The mean age was 51.8 years with 9 women. The clinical features were vague and bizard. Misdiagnosis and incorrect surgical intervention were common. Hemiparesis or quadriparesis were found in all patients, dysesthesias in 50%, C2 sensory hypoalgesia in 35.7% and cranial nerve dysfunction in 28.6%. MRl was the diagnostic procedure in all cases. Meningiomas were of large size in 81.4%. Partial transcondylar approach was used in 3 patients, retromastoid approach in 6 patients. Gross total tumor resection was possible in 43%, while operative complications occurred in 57%. On conclusion: the patients got benefit from surgery with good functional recovery in 50% without perioperative deaths [P < 0.005]