Effect of changes in dietary protein and oil levels on production parameters of female broiler chickens

Two experiments, as factorial arrangement of treatments in a complete randomized design, were conducted to evaluate weight gain [WG], feed conversion [FC], and carcass characteristics of female broilers fed diets varying in crude protein [CP] and metabolisable energy [ME] levels with graded oil supplementation. In experiment 1, the CP level was 190 and 220 g/kg in the starter diets and reduced by 25 g/kg for each grower diet with ME of 12.1 and 12.6 MJ /kg and oil level of 0 and 40 g/kg. In the second experiment, the level of CP was 190, 210, and 230 g/kg in the starter diets and reduced by 30g/kg in each corresponding grower diet with an oil level of 0, 20, and 40 g /kg. The 190 g/kg dietary CP reduced WG of birds at market age in both experiments but increased the FC value only in trial 2 [P < 0.05]. In addition, it reduced protein and moisture contents but increased fat level in ready to cook [RTC] carcasses [P<0.05]. In experiment 2, however, birds fed the 210 g CP/kg diet had WG and FC at market age, and yield of abdominal fat, pectoralis major muscle and drum, in addition to RTC carcass moisture comparable to those fed the highest dietary CP level. Dietary oil supplementation at 40 g/kg improved [P<0.05] bird WG and FC in both trials. In conclusion, diets containing 40 g oil/kg with 210 - 180 g CP/kg [starter and grower, respectively] can be safely fed to broiler females

Study of respiratory disorders in endoscopically negative and positive gastroesophageal reflux disease

The relation between respiratory disorders and reflux symptoms has been debated since the beginning of the last century and the interest in the question has increased during the last few decades. This study aims to investigate the relation between specified respiratory disorders and reflux symptoms and examine the correlation between respiratory disorders and endoscopic findings in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. This study included 515 patients evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] by patient self-report symptom questionnaire; modified four grade Likert scale and endoscopic assessment using endoscopic Los Angeles Classification. All participants were asked about various respiratory symptoms experienced during the past six months and exposed to measuring body mass index [BMI], medical history, pulmonary physical examination, chest X-ray, respiratory function tests and available sleep studies. A total number of 515 patients were categorized according to endoscopic findings into two groups; [group 1] subjects with normal endoscopic studies [NERD] 118 [22.9%] patients and [group 2] subjects with abnormal endoscopic studies [ERD] 397 [77.1%]. The proportion of females was significantly higher in ERD group [80.1%] as compared with NERD group [62.7%] [P<0.02]. Duration of reflux symptoms found to be significantly prolonged in ERD group [P<0.03]. The cases of ERD group were more likely to be overweight [BMI>25] P<0.02. History of pulmonary symptoms preceding GERD symptoms was found in 15% of patients. There were 294 patients [57.1%] with different pulmonary manifestations. These manifestations were significantly higher among female group [P<0.01] and among obese, above 40 years old [P<0.001, 0.05 respectively]. Among all patients with respiratory manifestations the commonest disorders diagnosed were chronic pharyngitis [50.3%], chronic bronchitis [15.8%], bronchial asthma [12.6%] and recurrent pneumonia [3.3%]. Obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent hemoptysis were present in 2.7% and 1.5% of the studied patients respectively. There were three cases of chronic lung abscess. There was a significant difference between ERD and NERD groups in their relations to respiratory disorders [P<0.001]. There were statistically significant differences in FEV1,FVC and FEV1/FVD [P<0.02, P<0.05 and P<0.05] respectively in ERD group as compared with NERD group. The study confirms the strong link between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and various respiratory disorders. Endoscopy of the upper digestive tract remains an important exam in the evaluation of GERD. Respiratory symptoms are more prevalent among erosive esophagitis patients with a positive correlation with degree of severity. These is direct relationship between the severity of airways obstruction as detected by FEV[1], and FEV1/FVC and GER symptoms

Pakistan's fight against poliomyelitis: introducing innovative strategies to address challenges and attain the goal of eradication

Pakistan, with Nigeria, India and Afghanistan, is one of the four remaining polio endemic countries in the world. Since the start of polio eradication initiative in 1994, the country has succeeded in reducing the number of polio cases from an estimated 20,000 annually to 89 in 2009. Furthermore, persistent transmission is largely localized to three transmission zones in which ten of the fifteen highest risk areas are situated. Insecurity, operational issues, governance lapses, low routine immunization coverage, inadequate trickle-down of the political commitment existing at the national level to subnational level and extensive population movement are the main barriers to the process. A robust strategicplan was developed for 2010-2012 encompassing district-specific plans and focused strategy on securitycompromised areas, performance-based payment, independent monitoring, attention to migratory populations, social mobilization, and strategic cooperation with Afghanistan. This will provide Pakistan a strong and imminent opportunity to interrupt polio virus circulation

Diagnostic and prognostic value of CRP in post-ERCP pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis [AP] is an inflammation of the pancreas secondary to a variety of causes. It is the most common serious complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP]. As most ERCP is performed on an outpatient base, early evaluation can allow safe discharge of the majority of patients. The aim of this study was to identify the value of C-reactive protein [CRP] in the diagnosis and prognosis of post-ERCP pancreatitis [PEP]. One hundred patients who were candidate for ERCP examination either diagnostic or therapeutic included in the present study. All patients has been followed-up daily for at least 48 hours after ERCP for symptoms and signs suggestive of post-ERCP pancreatitis and follow-up of post ERCP pancreatitis patients has been done until pancreatic enzymes and CRP became normal. Serum amylase, lipase and CRP were done immediately after ERCP and on 2[nd] and 7[th] day after ERCP. CT abdomen was performed for patients who develop post-ERCP pancreatitis. Patients were divided into group A [GA] which developed post-ERCP pancreatitis [25 patients [25%]] and group B [GB] which had no pancreatitis [75 patients [75%]]. Serum amylase and lipase were significantly higher in GA relative to GB at T[0], T[2], T[7]. Additionally, at T[2] both serum amylase and lipase was more than 3 fold the upper limit of normal in GA. Also data concerned with CRP level at T[0], T[2], T7 revealed a significant increase in GA relative to GB. Data were highly significant at T[2] and T[7]. Out of the 25 cases of Post-ERCP pancreatitis, 17 cases showed CT findings consistent with acute pancreatitis, 13 of them had mild and moderate disease. The remaining 4 cases had severe acute pancreatitis. Since the mean value of CRP at T[7] in GA is still high above upper limit of normal, while serum amylase and lipase were not, and the significant rise in CRP level at T[0], T[2], T[7] in GA was directly correlated to the CT findings. Therefore, these data might suggest the importance of the CRP level as a diagnostic test and also in the assessment of the prognosis of Post-ERCP Pancreatitis, it is cheap, readily available but it is not an early marker

prognostic significance of proliferative factors, angiogenesis and matrix metalloproteinase in non small cell lung carcinoma

The outcome of surgical treatment of non small cell lung carcinoma [NSCLC] remains poor. In many patients the biological behavior of NSCLC does not follow a definite pattern, and can not be accurately predicted before treatment. Thus, the proliferative potential of tumor cells, angiogenesis and matrix metalloproteinase [MMP] are an important prognostic factors. In the present study, expression of cyclin D1, CD34, MMP-2 and AgNORs count was estimated in a group of 80 surgically resected NSCLC using immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with clinicopathological parameters including patients' survival 41 cases [51.3%] revealed positive immunoreactivity for cyclin D1. Cyclin D1 overexpression is significantly higher [<0.05] in patients with lymph node metastasis [63.3% versus 15%], and with advanced pathological stages [stage I, 12.5%, II 37.5%, III 60% and IV 86.7%]. Patients with cyclin D1 positive immanoreactivity revealed a significantly shorter overall survival than patients with negativity. There is no significant correlation [p > 0.05] between CD34 score and histological type and grade, while there is significant positive correlation [p < 0.05] between high CD34 score and lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, tumor stage and shorter over survival. No significant correlations [p > 0.05] were found between MMP-2 expression and histological type, grade and lymph node metastasis. In contrast the intensity of MMP-2 staining in tumor cells correlated significantly [p < 0.05] with tumor stage, and distant metastasis. Overall survival was shorter in patient with MMP-2 expression, although the difference does not reach statistical significant AgNORs count was found to correlate significantly [p < 0.05] with tumor grade, and the size, shape and distribution pattern was found to show a characteristic difference between non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. In conclusion, an overexpression of cyclin D1, angiogenesis, expression of MMP-2 and high AgNORs count are a poor prognostic factors for NSCLC, also MMP-2 and AgNORs can be used to differentiate between non-neoplastic and neoplastic lung lesions

Avian flu: knowledge of primary health care centers attendees in Al-Khobar City, Eastern Saudi Arabia

Avian influenza is considered as a global health problem. Knowledge of the people about avian flu is important to implement different prevention and control measures and to raise the level of their awareness. Aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge about avian flu among Primary Health Care Centers [PHCCs] attendees, and to determine possible associations between knowledge and some socio-demographic characteristics. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in two randomly selected PHCCs in Al-Khobar city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] during 2009. The total sample size was 1420 persons. Data collection was accomplished through using an interviewer-administered questionnaire which was composed of 2 knowledge score was divided into 2 equal categories: poor and good knowledge. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and stepwise logistic regression analysis were used. The majority of the attendees were Saudis [89.4%], of young age [15<30 years] [56.2%] and were married [50.8%]. About 41.5% were unemployed, and 42.7% had university or higher education. About three quarters [74.4%] of the PHCCs attendees had good level of knowledge and only 25.6% had poor knowledge regarding avian flu. The stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were found to be independently significantly associated with increased level of knowledge: male gender [OR=1.44, CI=1.098- 1.890], higher level of education [OR=1.7, 95% CI=1,439-2.009] and younger age [OR=1.546, 95% CI= 1.257-1.902]. PHCCs were mentioned by only 2.9% of the attendees as a source of information about avian influenza. Although the majority of PHCCs attendees had good knowledge about avian flu, yet more efforts are needed to give priority to those who had poor knowledge [females, lower educational level, low monthly income and elderly people]. Health messages should be designed in a way that they could be understood by all people using all available channels. PHCCs should have more roles in educating the public about avian flu

Quality improvement programme for diabetes care in family practice settings in Dubai

A continuous quality improvement programme for the care of registered diabetes patients was introduced in 16 government-affiliated primary health care centres in Dubai. Quality improvement teams were formed, clinical guidelines and information systems were developed, diabetes nurse practitioners were introduced and a team approach was mobilized. Audits before and after the introduction of the scheme showed significant improvements in rates of recording key clinical indicators and in their outcomes. For example, the proportion of patients with glycosylated haemoglobin levels < 7% increased from 20.6% to 31.7% and with LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dL increased from 20.8% to 33.6%. Mean systolic blood pressure of registered patients fell from 135.3 mmHg to 133.2 mmHg

Endoscopic drainage of the pancreatic pseudocyst

Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts becomes an established alternative to surgical drainage. Thirty fife patients with pancreatic pseudocyst were admitted to El Minia University hospital [24 men and 11 women] with a mean age of 41 +/- 4 years in a period between 1999 and 2004 were subjected to endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst. The endotherapy was successful in 28 patients [80%]. Endoscopic procedures performed included cystogastrostomy in 19 patients [54,2%], cystoduodenostomy in 5 patients [14,2%] and transpapillazy drainage in 4 patients [11,4%]. The mean length of hospital stay was 5 days [range 2-17] days. There were no deaths related to the procedure. Recurrence was detected in 3 cases [8,5%] and all treated endoscopically

In conclusion: endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocyst is an effective and safe mode of treatment with minimal morbidity and no mortality.. ERCP before the procedure is only required when the cyst does not bulge into gut lumen, or in presence of obstructive jaundice

Laparoscopic gastric banding: preliminary results

Introduction: morbid obesity contributes to many health risks as physical, emotional and social problems. In the present study, we are aiming to evaluate our results for the laparoscopic gastric banding

Patients and Methods: from January 2001 to January 2004, 14 patients with BMI of >/=35 or BMI of 30 -35 with co morbid disease were subjected to laparoscopic gastric banding in El-Minia University Hospitals

Results: laparoscopic approach was successful in 12 of 14 patients [85.7%]. Conversion from laparoscopic to open procedure occurred in 2 patients [14.3%]. The mean of excess weight was 61.9 +/- 11.3 kg. The average total weight loss was 5.5 kg per month and 35 kg after one year. The mean BMI was 38 +/- 9.4 kg/m[2] o The mean length of hospital stay is 4.2 +/- 0.6 days

Conclusion: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is effective and successful in weight reduction in obese patients. It is associated with low morbidity and no mortality

Fructose induced metabolic syndrome in rats, a role for Glitazones, fibrates and statins

The metabolic syndrome is a constellation of symptoms and signs that include central obesity, insulin resistance, dysglycemia. dyslipidemia and hypertension. .The present work aimed to study the effect of a Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-alpha [PPAR-alpha] agonist [fenofibrate], two PPAR-gamma agonists [rosiglitazone and pioglitazone] and a statin [simvastatin] on glycemic control and lipid profile in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats. The study also aimed to assess the benefits gained from the combination of these agents. The present study was carried out on one hundred and ten white male albino rats. Ten rats received normal laboratory chow. The remaining rats were fed a high fructose diet for induction of metabolic syndrome X. The current study showed that treatment of fructose induced metabolic syndrome [FMS] rats with fenofibrate, rosiglitazone or pioglitazone was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control Fenofibrate treatment was associated with significant decrease in body weight in comparison to rosiglitazone or pioglitazone-treated rats that showed a significant body weight gain. Fenofibrate and simvastatin treatment of FMS rats caused a significant decrease in serum triglycerides [TGs,], cholesterol as well as significant increase in serum high density lipoproteins [HDL]. Only simvastatin resulted in a significant decrease in serum low density lipoproteins [LDL]. The combination of fenofibrate with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone was associated with less body weight gain and a more marked improvement in glycemic control The addition of simvastatin to fenofibrate and rosiglitazone or pioglitazone was associated with a significant improvement in lipid profile when compared to the combination offenofibrate with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone. No further significant improvement in glycemic was control achieved by the addition of simvastatin to nfenofibrate and rosiglitazone or pioglitazone. Given the close relationship between PPAR activity and the metabolic syndrome, PPAR agonists are promising therapeutic agents for diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus [DM2]. obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Combination drug therapy, which utilizes complementary mechanisms, can be advantageous in patients with significant combined or mixed dyslipidemias. The combination of glitazones and statins was associated with the utmost glycemic control and improvement in lipid profile

Serum levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factors-KB ligand [sRANKL], osteoprotegerin [OPG] and bone mineral density in Egyptian osteoporotic elderly women

The aim of this study was to determnine the state of the OPG/RANKL system and its possible role in osteoporotic elderly women. The present study included 40 apparently healthy old osteoporotic women aged 64.5 +/- 4.5 years as group I,[GI] and 30 healthy women of matched age as group II [GII]. The two groups were subjected to complete history taking, thorough clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, measurement of bone formation markers as serum alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium and serum osteocalcin and measurement of bone resorptiomz markers including: hydroxyproline in urine, serum OPG and serum RANKL CT Bone Density was done as well. In the current study, non significant differences were noted between the 2 studied groups as regard fasting blood glucose, renal amid hepatic function tests. A significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline and a significant decrease in serum calcium and serum osteocalcin was noted in group I compared to group Ii. Serum levels of RANKL were significantly elevated while serum OPG levels were significantly decreased in osteoporotic women compared to healthy controls. Changes in circulating OPG-RANKL correlates with serum osteocalcin and BMD changes. RANKL is an essential cytokine for the formation and activation of osteoclasts and promotes bone resorption, while OPG antagonizes these effects. Estrogen deficiency tilts the RANKL/OPG balance to favor osteoclastic activation and bone loss. RANKL blockade may emerge as a novel therapeutic option for human bone diseases. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the causes of osteoporosis and low bone mass in old women

Induced sputum versus fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis still constitutes a major health problem despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis of TB is difficult in patients who cannot produce sputum spontaneously. This study aimed to compare between sputum induction using nebulized hypertonic saline, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB, in clinically and radiologically suspected cases. Thirty suspected pulmonary tuberculosis cases were subjected to: 1-Tuberculin skin test. 2-Sample collection: a. Three successive spontaneous morning sputum samples, b. Sputum induction for 3 successive mornings c. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchial washing, brushing and Post-bronchoscopic sputum collection. All samples were stained with Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Induced sputum [SI] and bronchial wash were also cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen [L.J] medium. According to L J cultures there were 25[83.3%] positive bronchial wash samples VS 22[73.3%] induced sputum samples. The diagnostic yields of sputum induction and post-bronchoscopic sputum were similarly significant. Also, the yields of bronchial washing and bronchial brushing were similarly highly significant .The differences between all these procedures was non significant. The third SI sample was the most sensitive in the detection of AFB There was no significant difference between SI and Bronchial washing whether by using Z-N stain or L-J culture. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of different methods of specimen collection in diagnosing pulmonary TB gave non-significantly different results. Sputum induction is an easy, cheap and non invasive procedure that has a significantly high diagnostic yield for clinically and radiologically suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis who have dry cough or whose sputum for three successive days are negative. The third SI sample is the most significant one. There is no significant difference between SI and FOB using any of its procedures

Toxic effect of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid on micronuclei of kidney cells and serum protein electrophoretic pattern of the bony fish Clarias gariepinus

The present investigation deals with the study of the effect of three concentrations [2.5, 5 and 10 mg/l] of the herbicide, 2, 4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2, 4-D] on the cells with micronuclei in kidney of the bony fish Clarias gariepinus. It also deals with the study of the effect of 5 and 10 mg/l of 2, 4-D on blood serum protein fractions using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The occurrence of cells with micronuclei in kidney was increased in a doseand time-dependence. The frequency of cells with micronuclei in kidney reached a maximum level after three days of treatment with different doses of the herbicide. The protein electrophoretic pattern of the control fish showed 30 fractionated bands. The results revealed that even at low concentrations, the changes in the protein profile were dramatically noticeable. These were in the form of adding new protein bands as well as changing the intensity of certain protein bands. In conclusion, the findings reported here offer further support to the genotoxic nature of 2, 4-D

Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral T lymphocyte subpopulations in psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder, has received attention as a target for new pathogenesis and oriented therapies. Autoimmunity and T lymphocyte subsets are suggested to be involved in the development of psoriasis. The aim of this work is to asses the role of T lymphocyte subsets in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We investigated the peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations obtained from psoriatic patient before and after treatment and from healthy controls, using two colour flow cytometry. We found highly significant suppression of total CD[3+] T Cells and CD[3+] CD[56+] NKT lymphocytes in psoriatic patient as compared to control. Also, we observed significant reduction of T helper cells in patients as compared to control. The highly significant reduction of CD[3+] T cell and CD[3+] CD[56+] NKT lymphocytes proved their actively involvement in the development of psoriasis

Serum level of IL13 and expression of BCL2 in Behcet's disease

BCL2 family is a large family of apoptosis regulating proteins consisting of both blockers and promoters of cell death. Immunological processes and a variety of cytokines may play a role in pathophysiological process. Defective regulation of programmed cell death [apoptosis] also play a role in development of Behcet's disease. To investigate the level of BCL2 and IL13in BD and to determine their to relation monitory disease activity. This study was conducted on thirty patients [15 active and 15 inactive] and 15-health control, the activity of BD was evaluated according to international study group for BD disease, using ELISA technique for IL13 and flow cytometry for BCL2. Elevated serum levels of IL13 in patient with active BD than inactive and both had elevated levels than control[P< 0.01] and also the serum levels of Bcl2 was elevated in patient with active BD than inactive and control[P< 0.01]. The data suggested that IL13 and BCL2 could be involved in the pathogenesis of BD and its serum levels can be used as marker to monitor disease activity

Using some industrial and agricultural wastes for the production of animal feed through biotechnology

During this activity, tomato pomace as food industrial waste beside two agricultural wastes dry olive wastes [branches and leaves] and lentil straw as well as combination mixtures of them in a ratio of 1:1 were me starting materials of the current work. After chemical evaluation of the previous wastes, they were subjected to fungal treatment using a strain of white rot fungi [Pleuroteus ostreatus] [10% based on dry weight]. The obtained data revealed an increase in protein content ranged 30- 40% as well as an appearent decrease in lignocellulosic materials [lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose], a fact that is considered to be a promising screen of the use of these treated wastes as applied and useful non traditional feed stuffs. These results were confirmed by in-vitro digestibility determination

Improving the nutritive value of maize stalks by using pleurotus ostreatus and phanerochaete chryrospoium

The ability of fungi [white rot fungi] to degrade the lingocellulosic substrates was initiated. Two strains of white rot fungi namely, Pleurotus ostreatus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium were used to improve the nutritive value of selected agricultural crop residue namely, maize stalks mixed with an agro industrial waste namely, pea nut husk at different ratios 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3, respectively. After pasteurizing mixtures of maize stalks and pea nut husk at the previously mentioned ratios, they were packed in polyetylene bags then inoculated with two strains of white rot fungi [Pleurotus ostreatus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium] and incubated for 30 days at 28 degree sign C and 35 degree sign C, respectively, using solid state fermentation technique. Results showed that maize stalks and pea nut husk with a ratio of 3:1 decreased lignin content from 10.90 to 100.30% and 7.00%, and increased protein value from 9.75 to 11.73%, and from 11.00 to 13.04%, when combined mixture were treated with Pleurotus ostreatus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, respectively

Levels of circulating soluble cell adhesion molecules in diabetics and in impaired glucose tolerance patients: correlation to stiffness index beta of the common carotid and femoral arteries

The current work was conducted to study the possible relationship between endothelial activation as assessed by the level of circulating soluble VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin concentrations and atherosclerotic disease as assessed by the stiffness index 13 of the common carotid and femoral arteries in type 2 diabetic patients and patients with impaired glucose tolerance and the correlation of stiffness index beta of the common carotid artery and femoral artery with the degree of insulin resistance. Subjects and This study entailed 20 patients with type 2 diabetes meilitus, representing group I [GI], and 20 patients with impaired glucose tolerance, representing group II [GII] and 20 healthy subjects of matched age and sex as a control group, III [GIII]. All subjects were subjected to complete history taking and thorough clinical examination including body mass index [BMI]. Routine Laboratory investigations included oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT], glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA[1c]], serum uric acid, serum triglycerides, total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], as well as liver and renal function tests were carried out by using standard commercial methods. The level of urinary microalbumin in GI, and insulin sensitivity assessment through OGTT, in all groups were carried out. Serum levels of the circulating adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin were measured in GI, II, and III by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All subjects were subjected also to radiological measurement of stiffness indexes beta of the common carotid and femoral arteries by high-resolution ultrasonography. sVCAM was found to be 681.2 +/- 81.8, 551.7 +/- 33.5, 453.4 +/- 28.4 ng/ml in GI, GII, and GIII, respectively. sICAM was found to be 339.4 +/- 18.8, 301 +/- 19.3, 197.8 +/- 9.2 ng/ml in GI, GII, and GIII, respectively. E-selectin was found to be 90.4 +/- 5.7, 69.8 +/- 6.8, 51.1 +/- 6.6 ng/ml in GI, GII, and GIII, respectively. Using LSD, sVCAM, sICAM, and E-selectin were found to be significantly increased in GI when compared to GII and GIII and to be significantly increased in GII when compared to Gill. Concerning stiffness index of carotid artery, it was found to be 28.7 +/- 8.3, 14.7 +/- 1.4, 12.1 +/- 1.6 in GI, GII, and GIII respectively. Using LSD, stiffness index of carotid artery was found to be significantly increased in GI when compared to GII and controls. With reference to stiffness index of femoral artery, it was found to be 30.3 +/- 7.1, 15.4 +/- 1.4, 12.7 +/- 2.4 in GI, GII, and GIII, respectively. Using LSD, stiffness index of the femoral artery, it was found to be significantly increased in GI when compared to GII and controls. It could be concluded that cAMs can be used as a marker of the stiffness index beta of both common carotid and femoral arteries due to the noted significant positive association. Stiffness index beta of both common carotid and femorai arteries are exacerbated in type 2 diabetic patients than in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and controls. The stiffness index beta of both common carotid and femorai arteries are associated with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes meilitus. Further prospective studies should be carried to ascertain whether insulin resistance may induce the early changes of atherosclerosis in diabetes

Comparative study of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, and bone markers in pregnant normotensive and pre-eclamptic women

The current study was conducted to evaluate the serum OPG, RANKL and osteocalcin, as markers of bone turnover, in pre-eclamptic women compared to normotensive women, and to find out if there were any relationships between biochemical bone markers and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. The present study included 30 women with pre-eclampsia as group I, GI. Thirty normotensive pregnant controls were included in the study representing group II, GII. All candidates of the study were subjected to routine laboratory investigations, serum IGF-l and IGFBP-3. Measurement of bone formation markers included serum alkaline phosphatase and serum calcium, and serum osteocalcin. Measurement of bone resorption markers included urinary hydroxyl proline, and newly discovered bone turnover markers which are serum osteoprotegerin [OPG] and serum RANKL. A significant decrease of serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, OPG and IGF-1 were noted in the pre-eclamptic group when compared to the normotensive group. On the contrary, serum osteocalcin, RANKL, and IGFBP-3 showed a significant increase in the pre-eclamptic group when compared to the normotensive group. Bone formation and bone resorption markers showed a significant difference in pre-eclamptic women when compared to normotensive pregnant women. However, it is difficult to compare biochemical markers of bone turnover in this way because of differences in the specificity of the markers for bone and different metabolism by the liver and kidney in pre-eclamptic women. The high levels of biochemical markers may indicate increased bone turnover in the mother, but there could be some fetal contribution. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the detailed functions of OPG/RANKL on bone metabolism during pregnancy and pre-eclampsia