Role of CK2 alpha subunit in idiopathic male infertility

Protein kinase CK2 which was formerly known as casein kinase is a ubiquitously expressed protein kinase. Its expression and its activity as a protein kinase is closely connected with proliferation i.e. rapidly proliferating cells have high amounts of the enzyme and its activity in general higher than in normal cells. Protein kinase CK2 is composed of two regulatory beta subunits and two Catalytic alpha, alpha subunits, but these subunits are also found in its free form. Although CK2 is expressed in every tissue, there are some differences in the expression level in various tissues. CK2alpha is most highly expressed in brain and testes whereas only low amounts of CK2alpha are found in other tissues. The regulatory beta subunit and the catalytic alpha subunit are both absolutely necessary for the survival of cells, because the Knockouts are lethal during embryogenesis. Mice with a CK2alpha Knockout are viable however the male mice are infertile. Materials and Methods: 83 men were involved in this study, they were 17 normal men and 66 men with idiopathic infertility problems. Required sperm samples were obtained from an in vitro fertilization unit. The sperms were extracted and their protein content is determined. Equal amounts of protein will be loaded on SDS-polyacrylamide gel. After a Western Blotting, the CK2alpha, CK2alpha and CK2beta subunits were detected by specific antibodies. Results: the presence percentage of CK2alpha was 12.1% in infertile men group, and it was significantly lower compared to control group, which was 100 %. Conclusion: the absence of CK2alpha from the sperm would be used as a marker for the identification of idiopathic men infertility

[p53 antibodies assay in Syrian mamma carcinoma patients]

The aim of this study was to assay of p53 antibodies in the serum of Syrian breast cancer patients, and to correlate these results with various clinical parameters. We also wanted to assess the prognostic significance of these antibodies in treatment monitoring and recurrence in patients. Serum of 60 patients of breast cancer, 35 patients of benign mass and 35 of control were analyzed using Enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay ELISA. Eight of sixty breast cancer patients was positive for p53 antibodies [13.3%], one patient of benign mass patients were positive for p53 antibodies [2.9%] and p35 antibodies weren't detected in control group. The difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]. We observed an inverse relationship between the presence of p53 antibodies and the age of the patients. We found no significant association between the presence of p53 antibodies and tumor size. p53 antibodies were higher in patients with metastasis to axillary lymph nodes and advanced stages, but the difference was not statistically significant [p>0.05]. When we followed up patients of positive anti-p53 antibodies after surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there was a decrease in anti-p53 antibodies as a biomarker as well as a prognostic factor for patients with breast cancer

[Tumor suppressor protein p53 autoantibodies assay in colorectal cancer patients]

Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most common genetic alteration in colorectal cancer, and detection of p53 antibodies in serum might be an effective indirect procedure to detect alterations of the p53 gene. This study aimed to detect the presence of p53 antibodies in patient with colorectal cancer, and to study the association between this antibodies and tumor stage, tumor location, gender, age and smoking. We analyzed serum for p53 antibody using Enzyme linked Immune-adsorbent assay in 57 patients of colorectal cancer and 33 patients of benign disease in gastrointestinal [Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis] and 35 healthy individuals. Eight of seventy five colorectal cancer patients were positive for p53 antibodies [14%], and p53 antibodies weren't detected in patients with benign gastrointestinal diseases, neither in healthy subjects [control group]. The difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]. We found no significant association between the frequency of anti-p53 antibodies and tumor size, tumor location, gender and smoking. However sero-positive patients were older than sero-negative patients. P53 antibodies are a specific tumor marker of colorectal cancer, and there is no association between the frequency of anti p53 antibodies and tumor size, tumor location, gender and smoking

Evaluation of serum tumor markers usage in Syrian cancer patients

The study was conducted on 106 patients suffering from different cancer types. 59 males aging 5-70 and 47 females aging 3-65 The patients were referred from specialists to the oncology clinics. They were tested for the following tumor markers CA19-9, CA15-3, PSA, and CA-125. according to their cancer type. Results from pathologic anatomy were used in the diagnosis and follow-up Lymphomas. This study revealed that the most common types of cancer is Lymphomas including its two types [Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma NHL], The percentage of male cancer patients was 55.6% whereas in females were 44.4%. A follow-up of some of the patients was performed using tumor markers, ALP and LDH in order to monitor their serologic levels during treatment, which it was surgical or therapeutic management

Studying some of the mineral elements and vitamins among giardiasis infected patients in Syria

Giardiasis, an intestinal protozoan infection caused by Giardia lamblia, is common in Syria especially among children aged 2-14 years-old. Effect of giardiasis on serological levels of zinc, copper and iron elements and vitamin B[12] and folic acid were assessed in this study. Two children groups were included in this research: 60 children aged 2-14 years-old were diagnosed as having giardiasis by stool examinations, were enrolled as the study group. The control group consisted of 40 age-matched healthy children. Serological levels of zinc, copper and iron were measured by Colorimetric Method in all samples, and serological levels vitamin B[12] and folic acid were measured by Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. The results revealed that giardiasis increased the serological levels of copper, like other infectious agents, however zinc, and iron elements and vitamin B[12] and folic acid leurls decreased during grardasis due to malalsoyotion

Giardiasis and its relation to anemia and failure to growth in children

Giardiasis is one of the most famous parasitological infections in the humans, the causing factor is the flagellate protozoan Giardia Lamblia which is living in the upper part of the small intestine attaching to the mucousa membrane. The infection with this flagellate may cause diarrhea disease that varies in severity, wherease the chronic infection with this parasite may cause mal absorption and a celiac disease like syndrome which lead specially in children to anemia and retardation in growth and development. Our studying performed on four groups, which contained 465 child. We diagnosed the giardia parasite through fecal microscopic test, and we applied hematological tests and special measurement to diagnose the failure to growth. We found that the percentage of giardiasis is 24%, and the percentage of children with anemia beside giardiasis is 37%, while the percentage of children with failure to growth and giardiasis is 43%, but the percentage of children with anemia and failure to growth and giardiasis is 22%