Study of serum amylin in liver cirrhosis with diabetes mellitus

This study aimed to evaluate plasma amylin level in patients with chronic liver disease with and without diabetes. The study included 20 patients with liver cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus [12 males and eight females], ten patients with liver cirrhosis and normal glucose tolerance [eight males and two with a mean age of 49.5 +/- 12.9 years] and ten patients with NIDDM without liver disease [two males and eight females with a mean age of 56.1 +/- 7.4 years] in addition to ten healthy individuals as controls [six males and four females with a mean age of 39.4 +/- 4.1 years]. In all patients and controls, an oral glucose tolerance test was done and the levels of plasma C-peptide and amylin [using RIA kits] were measured

Liver function tests in PEM

Liver function tests were performed for 70 infants and children suffering from PEM in Zagazig University Hospital. Liver span was increased in 70% of collected cases especially KWO and marasmic KWO. The biochemical changes in liver function revealed that total protein is less than that control in 26.6% of marasmic cases, while albumin level is lesser than normal in 90% of marasmic KWO. SGOT was elevated in 50% of marasmus and 95% of KWO. Alkaline phosphatase was higher than that of control in 90% marasmus and 60% in KWO. This study has revealed that some of changes in liver function tests may occur in severe PEM. Therefore, liver biopsy is recommended to confirm these findings

Study of some trace elements in renal failure under haemodialysis

Twenty chronic haemodialysis patients and ten healthy controls were subjected to analysis of serum zinc and Nickel levels by flam atomic ahsorption spectrophctometry. Also plasma albumin. Total proteins. Hb. PCV and red blood cell count were determined. The results obtained showed significant decrease in all studied parameters in haemodialysis patients compared to control group. Also. There was significant positive correlation between the serum levels of zinc and nickel and between each of them and the levels of each of Hb. PCV and total red blood cell count while no positive correlation was found between zinc or nickel and each of albumin and total proteins. In conclusion serum zine and nickel deficiency can be considered one of multiple factors causing anaemia in patient with chronic renal failure under haemodialysis

Prevalence of parasitic infestations in an Upper Egyptian village and their effects on some anthropometric growth parameters in children

In an attempt to determine the prevalence of parasitic infestations [P.I.] among Egyptian Children in Upper Egypt and their effects on anthropometric growth parameters; 534 children of both sexes with ages ranging from 2-14 years were studied. They were; [1] interviewed, [2] subjected to full clinical examination [including some anthropometric growth parameters namely; weight, height and mid-arm circumference] and [3] laboratory investigated by urine and stool analysis for parasitic infestations. All results were statistically analysed. The study showed an increase in the prevalence of parasitism in male more than female children. The commonest infestations were by; schistosoma haematobium followed by Entaemba histolytica and oxyuris. The prevalence of single infestations were commoner than mixed [double and triple] infestations. The least prevalent infestations were by Giardia, Ascaris, Ancylostoma and by Trichuris trichura. The means of the anthropometric measurements for non infested children were higher than those for infested ones especially in males