HER2 over expression in malignant palpable breast lumps of pre and postmenopausal women attending RICK

Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 [HER-2/neu] over expression in breast cancer is associated with poor outcome and decrease disease free survival [DFS]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the over expression of HER2/neu among premenopausal and postmenopausal females presented with malignant palpable breast lumps to Radio Isotope Center Khartoum [RICK]. The study was a case-control conducted among patients attending Radiation Isotopes Centre Khartoum [RICK]. A total of 328 women were randomly selected. Data were collected by a pre coded, pre tested questionnaire. Tissue biopsies of breast lumps had been analyzed using immunohistochemical techniques for HERR-2/neu over expression and its relation to other prognostic factors was evaluated. HER-2/neu + vein first pregnancy at 23 years, were 32 [41%] in the cases, 6 [35%] in the controls of premenopausal women, and 21[44%] in the cases, 5 [38%] in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu + veexpression in relation to age at menarche 12 years was 39 [51%] in the cases, 7[39%] in the controls of premenopausal women, and 36 [56%] in the cases, 7 [45%] in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ vein relation to Body Mass Index > 29 kg/m2 showed 7 [37%] in the cases, 2 [33%] in the controls of premenopausal women [x2=0.024], and 8[38%] in the cases, 2[40%] in the controls of postmenopausal women [x2= 0.006]. HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to history of abortion or miscarriage [ever] was found to be 21 [39%] in the cases, 4 [33%] in the controls of premenopausal women, and 18 [44%] in the cases, 3 [33%] in the controls among postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to the history of breast cancer in a first degree relatives was 3 [25%] in the cases, 1[50%] in the controls of premenopausal women, and 4 [22%] in the cases, 2 [28%] in the controls of postmenopausal women. HER-2/neu+ veexpression in relation to the use of oral contraceptives was 3 [37%] in the cases, 1[50%] in the controls among premenopausal women, and 3 [27%] in the cases, 1 [50%] in the controls of postmenopausal women. The study confirmed an etiological association between HER2/neu+ve and HER2/neu - ve and age at first pregnancy >/= 23 years, age of menarche at

Ethnic distribution and clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus in the Sudan

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a multisystem chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by periods of remissions and relapses. It is thought to develop when genetically predisposed individuals are exposed to one or more environmental triggers. The ethnically mixed population of the Sudan offers an opportunity to look into the effect of ethnicity on the distribution and systemic expression of the disease. Eighty seven consecutive patients fulfilling the clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of SLE were prospectively interviewed and examined using a unified protocol in three medical clinics in different parts of Khartoum. Appropriate investigations, including renal biopsies were carried out when indicated. Eighty three of the 87 patients [95.4%] were females [female to male ratio 20.6:1]. Mean age at diagnosis was 31.89 years [range 21-30]. The disease was most frequently seen in tribes of mixed ethnicity [Afro-Arabs] and least common in pure African tribes. Thus, subjects with Afro-Arab ancestry constituted 94.3% of the sample seen whereas, subjects from Nubian ancestry [descendents from ancient tribes living in central and northern Sudan] were 5.7% of the group and no subjects from the black tribes of Southern and Western Sudan were represented. The disease affected multiple systems as seen elsewhere. Most of the patients [96.6%] were antinuclear antibodies [ANA] positive while [51.1%] were antidouble stranded dioxyribonucleic acid [Anti-dsDNA] positive. The clinical features of SLE in our patients are comparable to what has been studied in the region. However, there was an overwhelming tendency of the disease to affect subjects of mixed ethnicity and less affection of subjects of pure African ancestry. The study is in support of the observation that SLE is rare in Black Africans living in Africa, however, it is not uncommon in subjects with Afro-Arab genetic admixture

possible beneficial effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist [Losartan] in experimental-hepatic fibrosis in albino rats. histological immunohistochemical and biochemical study

Hepatic fibrosis is a histological change caused by liver inliammation and characterized by accuix of extracellular matrix protein [ECM]. Losartan is one class of drugs that inhibit the action of angiotensin II [A' H at its receptors. It has been used as antihypertensive in human. Was to clarify the beneficial effect of losartan in experimental liver fibrosis by bile duct li-z. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups; GI [control], Gil operated], Gill [bile duct ligated, BDL] and G VI received losartan at a dose of 5 mg/kg daily after BDL. After fc weeks, blood samples were collected for estimation of serum bilirubin [SB], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspare aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and serum hyaluronic acid [SHA]. Rats were sacrificed and th livers were processed for estimation of hydroxyproline and for histological study. Paraffin sections were stained b H and F, Masson's trichrome and other sections were stained immunohistochemically for desmin. Revealed elevated liver enzymes, serum and tissue fibrosis markers [hyaluronic acid and hydrox-cr together with dramatic histological changes in liver sections of G III [BDL]. Administration of Losartan after BDL C-V showed improvement of biochemical analysis of liver enzymes, fibrosis markers and amelioration of the his o1oria changes of hepatic tissues. Moderate expression of desmin from hepatic stellate cells [HSCs] was also evident Fr this study. That losartan has a benifical effect in liver fibrosis induced by BDL. However, further study for its usefulness in human hepatic fibrosis is recommended

Characteristics and risk factors of tobacco consumption among University of Sharjah students, 2005

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, patterns and risk factors of tobacco consumption among a stratified random sample of students at University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates [UAE], during 2005. The overall reported smoking prevalence among 1057 sampled students was 15.1%; cigarette smokers were 9.4% and waterpipe smokers 5.6%. While women comprised only 8.9% of cigarette smokers, they were 26.2% of waterpipe smokers. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the most important predictors for smoking among the students were: male sex, having a smoking friend, having a smoking family member [father/mother/both], non-UAE nationality and older age. There is a need to intensify efforts to prevent young people from starting smoking and to help young smokers to stop