Plasma homocysteine levels in obese children and adolescents

Homocysteine is derived from the metabolic conversion of the essential amino acid methionine. In the remethylation pathway of homocysteine to methionine, vitamin B12 and folate act as cofactors. One of the essential enzymes in the remethylation process is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR]. Mild-to-moderate hyperhomocysteinemia has been shown to be associated with arterial thrombosis in several case-control and cross-sectional studies. The mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia may predispose to arterial thrombosis are not entirely clear but consist of endothehal cell damage, inhibition of fibrinolysis, activation of the coagulation cascade, impaired generation of nitric oxide and prostacyclin, and enhanced collagen production by smooth muscle cells Major determinants of plasma homocysteine levels are folate, vitamin B12 and B6 intake, renal function, and to a lesser extent cigarette smoking, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, physical exercise, coffee consumption, and alcohol consumption. In addition, individuals homozygous for the thermolabile form of MTHFR also show higher levels of homocysteine, mainly in the presence of low folate. One further dietary determinant of plasma homocysteine level may be fat intake because fat intake is associated with higher homocysteine levels in healthy men, probably because of a lower intake of essential vitamins. High fat intake has been shown to be linked with childhood obesity, which is associated with an unfavorable profile of risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] such as hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and elevated blood pressure. Currently no data are available that deal investigate a possible relationship among homocysteine levels, body composition, and metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] in childhood obesity. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible relationship among plasma homocysteine levels, the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase [MTHFR] polymorphism, body composition, blood pressure, folate and vitamin B12 levels, serum lipid parameters, and insulin

Effect of tenotomy on muscle spindle of the rat soleus muscle:an electron microscopic study

This study described the effect of tenotomy on the ultrastrucutre of muscle spindle of adult male rat by using electron microscope. The right hind limbs of adult male Wister rats were tenotomized at both proximal and distal ends for periods of five days, one, two and three weeks. The samples were processed for electron microscopy. After tenotomy, degenerative changes occurred in the intrafusal muscle fibres [IMF] and axons which innervated them, and the intracapsular spaces also were altered. These changes progressed with time. At five days after tenotomy, no signs of myofibrillar degradation were observed. At one week after tenotomy, focal areas of myofibrillar disruption with loss of thick and thin filments were observed in addition to an increased spaces between muscle fibres and capsule. The capsule surrounding the intrafusal fibres appeared convoluted. At two weeks after tenotomy, recovery of both intrafusal muscle fibres and capsule occurred. Complete necrosis of intrafusal muscle fibers were absent

Ultrastructure of diaphragm in MDX mouse

The present study examined the diaphragm of mdx mouse as a model of duchenne muscular dystrophy. ScSn strain of mice were used as control for mdx. The diaphragm of mdx showed two processes; the first was degeneration process in the form of foci of degeneration. The degenerating fibres were very common and incompletely surrounded by sarcolemma or external lamina. The cytoplasm of these muscle fibres are often widely spaced and characterized by loss of thick filaments, thin filaments and full of mitochondriae. Sometimes, disoriented myofibrils and dilated profile of sarcotubular system can be seen. The second was regenerating process where the regenerating fibres were judged by small calibres. The regenerating fibres were very rare

In conclusion; The diaphragm of mdx mouse showed foci of degeneration with a very limited area of regeneration and this possibly responsible for death of patients with Duchenne muscle dystrophy from chest infection and heart failure

Some neutrophilic functions in pediatric poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis [PSGN] is the most common form of glomerulonephritis in children. Leucocytes play a role in mediating glomerular injury. Assessment of neutrophil functions [chemotaxis and phagocytic activity] was studied in 20 cases diagnosed as having PSGN [case group] and 10 age and sex matched healthy children [control group]. There was a statistically significant decrease in chemotaxis and phagocytosis of neutrophil leucocytes in index patients. There was a positive significant correlation between polymorphonuclear leucocyte functions - age and female sex. Meanwhile, there was nonsignificant correlation between antistreptolysin titer [ASOT] and chemotaxis [index and difference], while there was nonsignificant negative correlation between ASOT and phagocytosis [index and percentage]. There was a significant positive correlation between total leucocytic count and both chemotaxis and phagocytosis in case group. Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation between chemotaxis and phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear leucocyte functions in case group. This study revealed a defect in neutrophil functions as chemotaxis and phagocytosis in poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, so this may play a significant role in increasing infection among such children

Study of circulating progenitor cells and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor in preeclamptic pregnancies

To study the circulating progenitor cells in preeclampsia, 20 patients with preeclampsia, 24 healthy pregnant females in the 3rd trimester and ten nonpregnant healthy age matched females were included in this work. For all subjects, number of circulating progenitor cells, serum level of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor [GM-CSF] and total and absolute leukocytic count were investigated. It was concluded that the number of circulating progenitors decreased in preeclamptic patients due to a decreased production of colony stimulating activity by the diseased placenta. The negative correlation between neutrophil count and number of GM-CFCs showed that other factor[s] could participate in the production of neutrophils in this multi- factorial disease

Which hormone is the best for diagnosis of polycystic ovary disease?

To study which hormone is the best for diagnosis of polycystic ovary disease [PCO], luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], testosterone, androstenedione and estradiol were assessed by radioimmunoassay in twenty four women with clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of polycystic ovary disease. Fourteen healthy women were selected as a control group. Blood samples were withdrawn in the early follicular phase [day 2-3] and sera were separated and frozen until assayed. There were significant increase in the levels of LH, LH/FSH ratio, testosterone and androstenedione in PCO group when compared to the control group. These levels were in the abnormal range for 50%, 62.5% 96% and 75% of patients respectively. So, the most frequently abnormal hormone was testosterone. There was no significant difference in FSH and estradiol between the two groups. We concluded that, the best single hormone for diagnosis of PCO was testosterone. Combination with any of LH, LH/FSH ratio or androstenedione increased the sensitivity as biochemical markers for PCO disease up to 100%

Fetal acoustic stimulation in early labour: a screening test for candidates of continuous FHR monitoring in low risk parturients

This work was done to investigate the value of fetal acoustic stimulation test in early labour as a predictor of fetal outcome and its usefulness as a screening test. One hundred and sixty four low risk parturients, with a singleton fetus in cephalic presentation, gestational age 37 - 41 weeks and in latent phase of labour with cervical dilatation less than 4cm were screened by the admission test for 20 minutes followed by fetal acoustic stimulation test. Abnormal response to fetal acoustic stimulation test [type II and III] was observed in 3.35% after reactive admission test and in 11.1% after equivocal admission test compared to 66.7% after ominous admission test [P < 0.001, < 0.05 respectively]. The incidence of fetal distress after reactive admission test and normal fetal acoustic stimulation test [type IA and IB] was 1.4% compared to 20% with reactive admission test and abnormal fetal acoustic stimulation [P < 0.01]. Equivocal or ominous admission test with normal fetal acoustic stimulation was associated with 10% incidence of fetal distress compared to 60% with equivocal or ominous admission test and abnormal fetal acoustic stimulation [P < 0.05]. The negative predictive value of fetal acoustic stimulation test was 98.1% and its positive predictive value was 40% compared to 26.7% for admission test. Fetal acoustic stimulation test in early labour appears to be a valuable screening test to label parturients for low, or high, risk category for intrapaturn fetal distress. In addition the test overcomes the problems of interpretation of equivocal traces

Patterns of electroconclusive therapy in Bahrain

This is a study of the pattern of use and the response to electroconvulsive therapy [ECT] administered in the Psychiatric Hospital between 1984 and 1987. ECT rate in Bahrain was found to be 0.67 individual applications per thousand total population. 1.48% of all psychiatric patients seen during the period of the study received ECT. 61.3% of cases who received ECT were suffering from schizophrenic illnesses, 38.7% from affective disorders. The best results were found in affective disorders; 58.8% had good improvement whereas in schizophrenics group 36.1% had good improvement. However, catatonic schizophrenics, which if singled out, gave the best results with [81%] good improvement. The female to male sex ratio is 1.3. Side effects in this study were found to be less than those reported in other studies