Golgi protein 73 versus serum a-fetoprotein as tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis

Background/aim Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is categorized as the firth most common type of malignancy and the third most common cause for cancer-related mortality. HCC has been growing in Egypt, with a doubling in the incidence rate in the previous 10 years owing to high prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] in Egypt. Approximately 21% of Egyptian patients have cirrhosis, so the incidence of HCC is increasing. This work was to compare the diagnostic validity of Golgi protein 73 [GP-73] level versus a-fetoprotein [AFP] as tumor markers in HCC on top of HCV-related cirrhosis

Patients and methods Patients were selected from those who attending the HCC outpatient clinic at Specialized Medical Hospital in Mansoura University. Overall, 90 patients were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups: group I had 45 patients with HCC on top of liver cirrhosis due to chronic HCV, group II had 30 patients with liver cirrhosis owing to chronic HCV, and group III had 15 healthy control

Results AFP showed, at a cut-off level of greater than or equal to 69.6 ng/dl, sensitivity and specificity for HCC detection were 71.1 and 93.3%, respectively, whereas GP-73 showed, at a cut-off level greater than or equal to 16.25 ng/dl, sensitivity and specificity for detection of HCC were 71.1 and 63.3%, respectively

Conclusion Serum GP-73 level at cut-off value of 16.25 ng/ml can be used as a diagnostic marker for HCC in patients with chronic HCV. However, it is not superior to AFP as both of them had the same sensitivity, but AFP showed higher specificity. Combination of both increases the sensitivity

Unusual site of extraoral pregnancy tumor: a case report

Pregnancy tumor is a clinical condition similar to pyogenic granuloma; smooth or lobulated with a pedunculated or a sessile base, generally deeply reddish and may be ulcerated-localized benign tumor vascular in nature- that bleeds easily on instrumentation. It usually occurs in the second and third trimester in young pregnant females. According to its clinical picture and histopathological examination, it simply resembles pyogenic granuloma. Some researchers believe that the lesion is a different entity because of the apparent influence of female sex hormones. herein we present a 38 years pregnant female came to the periodontal clinic complaining of a grayish brown growth mass at the angle of the mouth skin [extraorally] since the beginning of seventh month of pregnancy. Clinical presentation and histopathological investigation were suggestive of pregnancy tumor which was managed by surgical intervention and followed up until completely healed

Prevalence and factors related to tongue coating among a sample of jordanian royal medical services dental outpatients

The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of tongue coating using Winkel tongue coating index and their relation to age, gender, smoking, systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus as well as oral hygiene habits. We prepared a chart according to the criteria determined by WHO [1980], which used to record details on age, gender, smoking, medical history, and oral hygiene habits. Clinical examination was performed in dental clinic with plain mouth mirror and probe under artificial light, by drying tongue using gauze and air spray the status of tongue was recorded using Winkel tongue coating index. A total of 353 subjects [187 female, 166 males] were included in this study, tongue coating was detected in 77 [21.8%] subjects, Winkel tongue coating index scores mean value was 6.77 +/- 2.145. There was a strong correlation between tongue coating and increasing age. Tongue coating was significantly higher in males. There was also a strong association between tongue coating and smoking, diabetes mellitus as well as oral hygiene status. Tongue coating was strongly related to subject oral hygiene habits such as tongue brushing and using mouth wash. A strong correlation was found between tongue coating and age, gender, diabetes mellitus, smoking as well as oral hygiene status in Jordanian Royal Medical Services dental patients. Both, regular using of mouth wash and regular tongue brushing improves tongue hygiene and decreased probability of tongue coating

Propafenone hepatotoxicity: report of a new case and review of the literature

Propafenone is a class Ic antiarrhythmic drug. It is a beta-adrenergic blocker that causes bradycardia and bronchospasm. It is metabolized primarily in the liver. Its bioavailability and plasma concentration differ among patients under long-term therapy. They are genetically determined by the hepatic cytochrome P-450 2D6. Hepatic toxicity is highly uncommon. To date, only eight patients were reported in the reviewed world literature. In this article, one new case will be reported emphasizing the importance of medication history taking in patients presenting with new-onset liver enzymes abnormalities

Evaluation of cystatin capture ELISA and sodium metaperiodate antigen treated ELISA in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis

ELISA has become the mainstay for clinical serologic evaluation of toxoplasmosis. One of the major obstacles encountered in the evaluation of ELISA is the false-positive results due to immunological cross-reactions with other parasitic diseases that exhibit some lack of specificity. Evaluation of the diagnostic efficacy of two ELISA techniques: Cystatin capture ELISA and sodium metaperiodate treated antigen-ELISA [SMP-ELISA] compared to conventional ELISA, to detect IgG antibodies for crude T. gondii antigen in sera of toxoplasmosis patients. The study was carried out on 50 individuals categorized into three groups. Toxoplasmosis group included 30 patients confirmed by Sabin-Feldman dye test. Other parasitic diseases group included 10 sera from patients with amoebiasis [2], fascioliasis [2], hydatidosis [3] and schistosomiasis [3]. Control group included 10 healthy individuals. All sera under study were examined for the detection of T gondii IgG by three different ELISA techniques: Cystatin capture ELISA, SMP-ELISA amid conventional ELISA. The diagnostic performance of the three tests was statistically compared. Cystatin capture ELISA gave the best diagnostic results with 96.6% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 96.6% Positive Predictive Value [PPV], 95% Negative Predictive Value [NPV] and 96% diagnostic accuracy. In spite of the lower sensitivity and NPV of SMP-ELISA [86.6% and 82.6%, respectively] than the conventional ELISA, it had higher specificity [95%] and PPV [96.3%]. Cystatin capture ELISA improved the diagnostic performance of conventional ELISA in diagnosis of human toxoplasmosis

Prevalence of edentulousness in southern Jordan

This study was undertaken to determine tooth loss, and associated factors in older individuals in southern Jordan. A cross-sectional study was done by means of an oral examination and questionnaire in Aqaba city. Data were collected from seven hundred and fifty subjects of both sexes [60% were females], aged 60 and above. Full records were obtained including demographic data, medical and dental histories, as well as oral hygiene practices. 26.7% of the subjects under study were totally edentulous while none was found with a full dentition or 28 teeth. Edentulousness was significantly associated with increasing age, female gender, living in rural area, low level of education, lower socioeconomic status, presence of systemic diseases, smoking and lack of regular oral hygiene practice. [p < 0.05]. Factors that influence tooth loss may have implications for oral health care planners. Any modifications in these factors could reduce the number of missing teeth and improve oral health status, thus improving quality of life for the elderly

Frequency of malocclusion in an orthodontically referred Jordanian population

To analyze the frequency of malocclusion among patients attending outpatient orthodontic clinics at the Royal Medical Services hospitals in order to get baseline data with can be used for proper treatment planning, teaching and further research. A total of 520 Jordanian dental patients aged 13-15 years were included in this study between 2006 and 2008. These patients were randomly selected from four different regions in Jordan while they attended the Royal Medical Services hospitals in their regions. None of the patients had undergone previous orthodontic treatment, and all the patients were medically free with no history of trauma or surgery that could affect occlusion. Class II and class III occlusions were found in 39% and 13% of the sample respectively. Simple descriptive statistics were used to describe the study variables. Malocclusion traits detected were crowding in the maxilla [44%] and in the mandible [57%]. Increase in overjet was found in 30% of the subjects and deep bite in 22%. The results of this study provide baseline data on the frequency of malocclusion among 13-15 years old Jordanian children. This data will help to decide treatment priorities among those demanding orthodontic treatment at public expense

Biliary Fascioliasis. case report and review of the literature

Hepatobiliary parasitic diseases are rare in Lebanon. We recently encountered biliary fascioliasis in a Lebanese native. The clinical and laboratory findings were nonspecific. The biliary parasite [Fasciola hepatica] was identified by sonography and confirmed at ERCP that has retrieved the parasite from the common bile duct