TGF-B1 IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HBV INFECTION

The transforming growth factor-beta[1] is an important cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties may have a role in pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The main purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of TGF- beta[1] in a group of chronic HBV infected [CHB] patients as well as healthy individuals and to determine the correlation between the TOF- beta[1] and stages of fibrosis in CHB patients. A case control study using forty patients with CHB as well as forty healthy individuals. ELISA technique was applied to measure the serum level of TGF- beta[1] in both patient and control groups. We used the data of the liver biopsy of CHB patients to make a correlation between TGF- beta[1] and stages of fibrosis. Our results revealed that the serum levels of TGF- beta[1] -were significantly increased in CHB patients [1958.0 +/- 730.26pg/ml] in comparison to healthy controls [944.4 +/- 5 73.24 pg/ml] [P<0.0001]. Serum levels of TGF- beta[1] -was significantly increased in F2-F3 [2600.0 +/- 472.69pg/ml] in comparison to FO-F1[1483.5 +/- 478.54 pg/ml] [P < 0.0001]. The sludy concluded that high serum levels of TGF-fl may be a mechanism by which immune response against IIBV is suppressed. The serum level of TGF- beta[1] is a potential noninvasive marker for diagnosis of liver fibrosis in CHB patients

Effect of susceptibility to depression on periodontal health indicators among university students

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the susceptibility to depression and gingival health among Jordanian university students. Two hundred and sixty four participants were recruited for this study [135 females and 129 males, mean age = 21.4 years +/- 1.9 years]. The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale [ZSDS] was used to determine psychologically the perception of depression. The level of oral hygiene was assessed using a survey followed by a clinical oral examination. Data showed a significant association between the susceptibility to depression and the plaque index and gingival index. A significant relationship was also observed between the susceptibility to depression and some oral hygiene habits like brushing teeth, regular dental visits and frequency of brushing. According to the stepwise logistic regression model, both the gingival index and regular dental visits had a significant positive correlation with the susceptibility to depression. The susceptibility to depression among Jordanian university students had an adverse effect on gingival health and oral hygiene behaviours

Comparison of oral hygiene levels and behaviors between first and final year dental students in Jordan

Achieving and maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for gingival health. However, oral hygiene attitudes and behaviors may vary according to knowledge, beliefs, and education. To compare and quantify discrepancies in oral health attitudes and self-care levels between first and final year dental students. Two hundred and seventy seven dental students at the University of Jordan were recruited in this study. The sample involved 162 first year and 115 final year students with age ranges of 18-19 and 21-22 years, respectively. Subjects were asked to fill a structured questionnaire about their oral hygiene habits. Clinical examinations were performed at the Periodontal Department of Jordan University Hospital. Oral hygiene levels were clinically assessed by the plaque index [PI] and gingival index [GI]. Analysis showed that final year students brushed their teeth, flossed, and maintained regular dental visits. They also brushed their teeth twice more frequently and changed the brush more often per year. However, both first and final year students used mouthwash almost equally. Final year students also have less bacterial plaque and suffered less gingival inflammation in prevalence and severity. It was concluded that final year dental students have a significantly better gingival status than first year students

Is there a correlation between degree of viremia and liver histology in chronic hepatitis C?

To determine the correlation between degree of histological liver damage and serum HCV RNA level in patients of chronic hepatitis C, in order to evaluate the usefulness of HCV RNA estimation as an alternate to liver biopsy. This non-interventional descriptive study, was carried out at the department of Pathology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan between April and September 2002. Core needle liver biopsies of fifty five patients of chronic hepatitis C were evaluated according to Knodell's histological activity index system. The patients were categorized into four subgroups depending upon the grade and stage of disease according to Desmet's classification, and into three groups according to degree of viremia. Five patients had mild viremia, 43 moderate and 7 had severe viremia. Seven patients had minimal disease, 9 mild, 22 moderate and 17 had severe chronic hepatitis. Eight patients had no fibrosis, 20 had fibrous portal expansion, 19 bridging fibrosis, and 8 patients had cirrhosis. No significant correlation was found between serum HCV RNA levels and grade or stage of the disease, with correlation coefficients of rs = -.054 and rs =.034 respectively. Moreover, no individual component of the HAI correlated with serum HCV RNA levels. Serum HCV RNA level does not determine the degree of hepatic injury precisely and liver biopsy is necessary to accurately evaluate the extent of liver damage

impact of heavy metals on the energy reserves of lepidotriglae lastovisa from the South-Eastern Mediterranean, Alexandria, Egypt

Lepidotriglae lastovisa were collected monthly over one annual reproductive cycle, from January to December 1994. Total lipid, protein, Pb and Cd content were determined in muscles, liver and gonads of mature [>13 cm length] and immature [8-13 cm length] fishes of both sexes. Mercury content was determined in fish muscles of both sexes at different lengths during one month. Lipids were primarily transported to ovaries prior to fertilization. Energetic lipids were maximal in liver and muscles before spawning and declined to the minimum after spawning, during early winter. L lastovisa spawns two times a year, from February to April, and from August to October. Fish that spawned early still had plenty of fat left in muscles it probably takes its energy from liver fat, while late spawners had low fat reserves [declined by about 70%]. The total energy required for gonad development were significantly parallel in both sexes, and were mostly consumed from lipid mobilization rather than protein. The body lipid content increased significantly during the period of heavy phytoplankton blooms [July and September] and declined in winter. Muscle protein was found to be related to that in the ambient water. Mercury content showed similar distribution patterns in both sexes, being accumulated with growth. The general levels of Pb and Cd were remarkably high in different tissues, which may be traced to the elevated levels in surrounding water, sediments and biota. Bioaccumulation of such metals occurred in almost the same proportion as the total discharge to the area. Such elevations in metals seem to reduce the body energy reserve, where significant inverse correlations between total energy [in the form of lipid and protein] with Cd and Pb was computed and assessed