Patterns of thrombospondin genes polymorphisms in acute myocardial infarction patients in Ismailia City

Thrombospondin [TSP] 2 and 4 are multidomain calcium-binding extracellular glycoproteins which play a role in platelet aggregation and inflammatory response. TSP-2 has chemotactic and mitogenic activities for vascular smooth muscle cells while TSP-4 mRNA is expressed by endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vascular wall, and brain endothelial cells produce the protein both in vivo and in cell culture, localization consistent with its pro-atherogenic effects. These common functions may be central to the roles of the thrombospondins in coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction [MI]. In the present study, the association of the TSP-2[3949 T-+G, rs8089] and TSP-4 [Ala387Pro 1186 G-+C, rs866389] gene variations and MI among Egyptian patients living in Ismailia city has been examined. Both rs8089 and rs 1866389 were studied in 50 acute MI patients and 50 controls using Real-Time polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence of TSP-2 and TSP-4 alleles was not different in MI patients compared to controls [P> 0.05]. Although the minor allele homozygotes [GG] of TSP-2 seems to confer reduced risk of MI [OR: 0.42 95% CI=0.095-1.89] this was not statistically significant [P> 0.05]. The distribution of different TSP-4 genotypes did not differ between MI patients and controls [P>0.05]. Total cholesterol was statistically significantly higher [P=Q.Q2] in carriers of minor allele [C] of TSP4 [GC+CC]. Although, both polymorphisms showed no statistically significant difference in MI patients regarding all other measured conventional risk factors. However, the frequency of TTGC haplotype is statistically significantly higher in MI patients [24%] than in controls [6%] [P value=0.0226]. Our data suggests that although association analysis with MI did not reach significance, an at-risk haplotype of common variants located in THBS2 and THBS4 may be part of the genetic determinants for MI in the Egyptian population living in Ismailia city

Effect alpha globlin gene deletion and gamma globin gene -158 [C/T] polymorphism in beta-thalassemic patients

The beta-thalassemias [beta- thalassemias] are among the most common autosomal recessive disorders. They have a remarkably high frequency in the Mediterranean region and represent one of the most common genetic diseases in Egypt. In this study, the spectrum of beta-thalassemia mutations and genotype-to-phenotype correlations were defined in 32 beta- thalassemic patients [beta- thlassemias major and intermedia] with varying disease severity in two cities of the Suez Canal region. Ten different mutations were identified and the most frequent ones were: IVSI-6 [T-C] [37.5%], IVSI-110 [G-A] [34.4%] and both IVSI-1 [G-A], IVSII-745 [C-G] and -102 [C-G] [12.5% each]. There was a wide spectrum of phenotypic severity in all patients. We studied the Xmnl polymorphism [C/T] in gamma- globin gene position -158 of beta- thalassemia as a modulating factor of the disease severity. Presence of the polymorphism was found in two patients and this was not sufficient to explain the diversity of the phenotype encountered. Co-inheritance of alpha thalassaemia as a modulating factor was not evident in our patients. In conclusion, we have been unable to find a molecular basis for the benign clinical course in all our patients. Other genetic or acquired factors must be hypothesized which ameliorate the clinical condition

Treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid: a pilot study

Twenty four evaluable patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma were entered into a pilot study that used 3 consecutive days of 5- fluorouracil [600 mg/m2 as 24 hours infusion] and folinic acid [120 mg/m2 as 4 hours infusion]. This regimen was repeated on 3 weekly basis. Eight patients [33%] were considered to be refractory to previous fluorouracil monotherapy. Objective response [including one complete remission] was seen in 33% of the patients. Two out of the 8 previously treated patients [25%] exhibited partial remission. The mean survival time was 13.5 months for responders 8.5 months for stable disease and 3.8 months for progressive disease [P less than 0.01]. Treatment related toxicity was generally mild with no single life threatening complication. Diarrhea and oral mucositis were the 2 most commonly encountered adverse effects

Effect of sodium thiopentone and midazolam on intraocular pressure, pulse rate and blood pressure - a comparative study

A programmed study on the effect of sodium thiopentone and midazolam on systemic blood pressure, pulse rate and intraocular pressure was done on sixty patients. A significant increase of all parameters was found after one minute. These values became less increased after three minutes. After five minutes a significant decrease of systolic and diastolic pressure, and intraocular pressure, as well normalization of pulse rate was found for both groups. A comparison between the results of both groups show that the systolic pressure was more significantly increased under the effects of midazolam than thiopentone. In contrast to this, pulse rate and intraocular pressure showed similar changes in both groups

comparative study of midazolam and thiopentione for induction of anesthesia for short operations

Midazolam has been studied as an induction agent compared to thiopentone in forty patients. Few drawbacks were noted, but these included a fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respiratory upsets and longer induction and recovery times compared to thiopentone. The difference between these two agents is statistically significant. The midazolam group took a longer time [after discontinuation of inhalational anesthetics] to respond to commands and perform certain tasks during the process of recovery. We concluded that thiopentone is preferable to midazolam as an induction agent