Serum survivin and tp53 gene expression in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The aim of this study was to detect the prognostic significance of survivin level and the expression of total p53 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] and its correlation to patients' outcome. Sixty two children newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated with chemotherapy and followed up for 2 years or until death. Twenty apparently healthy volunteers with matched age and sex were taken as control. Survivin protein was measured by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay and total human p53 was measured by Flow cytometry in peripheral blood at diagnosis and at complete remission. A highly significant elevation [P<0.0001] was found in survivin protein and total p53 levels in acute lymphoblastic leukemia children patients at diagnosis compared to controls. At complete remission a significant decrease of the two indices were found in ALL patients compared to those at diagnosis [P<0.000l]. Survivin protein and total p53 was significantly higher in non-survived compared to survived group [P<0.0001 and /M].016, respectively]. A positive correlation was found between survivin level and total human p53 level in children with ALL 0-0.501 and P<0.0001]. survivin protein is related to anti-apoptotic proteins and its high expression lead to unsuccessful treatment of ALL. Survivin and TP53 are new prognostic tools in ALL, independent of age and sex

Apolipoprotein E4 effect on development and cognitive function in giardia-infected children

Parasitic infections can seriously affect child development and cognition while the treatment is easy and cheap. To elucidate apolipoprotein [ApoE] and neurodevelopment in children with Giardiasis and the role of ApoE isoforms in childhood cognition and infant development. The present study was performed on 75 Giardia-infected patients [1-9 years] and 45 healthy children control group of similar age and sex.They were subjected to anthropometric measurements. cognitive functioning. developmental assessments and determination of ApoE allelic forms. ApoE genotypes frequency distribution in the studied children was 6. 8, 4, 42, 27 and 33 for E2/2, E2/3. E2/4, E3/3. E3/4 and [4/4, respectively. There were no significant differences regarding demographic and anthropometric measurements as well as cognitive function between ApoE4 carrier and non carrier in children above 4 years; but their scores of performance, part of the intelligence test, and of the frill scale IQs proved to be at the lower normal level. Meanwhile, highly significant differences were observed between ApoE4 carrier and minim carrier regarding developmental assay in children below 4 years. The ApoE4 isoforms have a protective role on cognitive development in children below 4 years sufferring from sole Giartia infection. So, children with ApoE4 negative genotypes should be notified for their susceptibility to cognitive impairment after diarrhea in early infancy and childhood and are advised for careful follow up

Role of leptin in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP]

Leptin hormone, synthesized by the adipose tissue, binds with a receptor member of the class I cytokine receptor family. It plays a role in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] constitutes the prototype of autoimmune diseases characterized by the production of the autoantibodies against platelet antigens, resulting in enhanced destruction of the platelets by macrophages. Recently, more evidences have been found related to the effects of hormones on the immune system, including their effect on autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum leptin level in patients with chronic ITP in order to determine the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of ITP. This study comprised 40 patients with chronic ITP and 20 healthy controls of similar age, sex and body mass index [BMI]. Serum leptin level was measured by enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay [EASIA]. It was found that, the mean serum leptin level in patients with ITP was significantly higher [P<0.001] than in healthy controls. Furthermore, the positivity of platelet-associated antibodies [PAIgG] and platelet count was significantly different between leptin-positive [level greater than mean of control value + 2SD] and leptin-negative patients. From the present study we can conclude that leptin might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP

Serum leptin, insulin resistance and soft tissue composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in obese children

This work aimed to study serum leptin and insulin resistance in obese children and their relation to body composition by DEXA and various measurements of obesity. Thirty-three obese subjects body mass index [BMI] > 95th centile, were enrolled in this study [12 males and 21 females]. Their age ranged from 4 years to 15 years [mean 9.4 +/- 2.93]. Sixteen healthy age- and sex- matched Egyptian children were taken as controls. Obese children and the control group were subjected to thorough anthropometric measurements, estimation of BMI and weight% to ideal weight for height, DEXA study for body composition, serum Ieptin by ELISA and serum insulin [ELISA], blood glucose fasting and postprandial to assess insulin resistance. Insulin resistance index. IRP=Fasting Glucose x Fasting Insulin / 22.5. The study showed that obese children had significantly higher BMI and weight% to ideal weight for height compared to controls. Percent total body fat by DEXA was significantly higher in obese children compared to the controls [49.47 +/- 6.12 vs 19.85 +/- 5.06] [P< 0.0001] and arm fat percent in obese children was 52.92 +/- 8.46 vs. 16.84 +/- 4.6 in controls [P< 0.0001]. Also significantly higher trunk fat/lower limb fat by DE][A was detected [1.21 +/- 0.2 vs 0.81 +/- 0.07, P<0.0001]. IRI in obese children was 68.5 +/- 26.8 vs 19.74 +/- 4.8 in controls [P<0.0001] and serum leptin was higher in obese compared to nonobese children [40.71 +/- 22.73 vs. 10.38 +/- 16.08, P<0.001]. Serum leptin and IRI showed a significant correlation with BMI, weight% to ideal weight for height,% total body fat by DEXA and% arm fat. Moreover, a significant correlation was obtained between IRI and serum leptin [P<0.001]. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and high serum leptin level, which denote serum leptin resistance. Both are correlated with BMI, weight% to ideal weight for height,% total body fat by DEXA and% arm fat by DEXA