Genetic polymorphisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese Egyptian children

Polymorphisms in the promoter of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein [MTP] lead to decreased MTP transcription, less export of triglyceride from hepatocytes, and greater intracellular triglyceride accumulation. Therefore, functional polymorphisms in MTP may be involved in determining susceptibility to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of some genetic influences among a group of obese Egyptian children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 76 overweight and obese children presenting to the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Cairo University Children's Hospital, Egypt, as well as on 20 healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements were taken for all the patients and they underwent clinical examination, ultrasonographic examination of the liver, and liver biopsy when appropriate. Liver functions, blood glucose, serum insulin, C-peptide, and lipid profile were assessed and HOMA-IR calculated. Blood samples from biopsy-proven NASH patients and controls were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and restriction fragment length polymorphism for the -493 G/T polymorphism in the promoter of MTP and the 1183 T/C polymorphism in the mitochondrial targeting sequence of manganese superoxide dismutase [MnSOD]. Eight had biopsy-proven simple steatosis and 7 had NASH. NASH patients had a much higher incidence of the MTP G/G genotype [P = 0.002, CI: 2.9-392] compared with the controls. NASH patients also had a 100% prevalence of the MnSOD T/T genotype. Certain genotypes in MTP and MnSOD are significantly more prevalent among obese children with NASH and may be responsible for such a phenotype

Arginase activity in breast cancer: is it a significant biomarker?

Due to the importance of arginase enzyme in different malignant disorders, the purpose of the present study was to determine and compare the arginase activity in cancerous cells and their normal and benign counterparts. The tissue arginase activity level was evaluated in 30 females with breast cancer, in 6 females with benign breast disease and in 9 healthy control subjects. The arginase activity levels were significantly increased in malignant breast tissues in comparison to healthy ones, while the difference did not reach the level of significance in comparison to benign breast diseased tissues. Patients with advanced stage showed insignificantly higher arginase activity compared to those with early stage. In addition, estrogen receptor negative tumors showed insignificant higher arginase activity levels compared to estrogen receptor positive tumors. Moreover, tissues of premenopausal patients showed lower activity levels of arginase compared with those of posrmenopausal ones. Meanwhile, patients with bad prognosis revealed insignificantly higher activity levels of arginase compared to those with good prognosis. It could be concluded that tissue arginase activity seems to be involved in the biological behasiour of breast cancer and its determination in cancerous tissues could predict its outcome

Alterations of serum levels of zinc, copper and selenium trace elements in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and acute rheumatic fever: preliminary findings

Some trace elements such as zinc, copper and selenium [Zn, Cu and Se] are catalytic, structural and regulatory ions for enzymes, proteins and transcription factors, and is thus are critical in many homeostatic mechanisms of the body, including immune responses. Our knowledge about changes in Zn, Cu and Se elements in juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA] and acute rheumatic fever [ARF] is incomplete. We hypothesize that "development of JIA and ARF is associated with alterations of Zn, Cu and Se trace elements". To test this hypothesis and to fill this existing gap in literature. Serum level of Zn, Cu and Se was examined in healthy individuals [10.0 control cases], JIA and ARF [23 and 19 cases, respectively] using atomic spectrophotometric assays. Compared to the control group, there were a reduction of serum Se levels and Zn levels and elevation of Cu levels in JIA and ARF. These changes were more obvious with disease activity, polyarticular involvement [JIA] and presence of cardiac affection [ARF]. Meanwhile, there was a significant direct correlation among the activity indices and both serum Zn and Se levels. The significant alterations of some serum trace elements in JIA and ARF suggest possible roles for these elements in the development of these lesions. The diagnostic and prognostic ramifications of these findings are open for further investigations

Levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, Gamma-aminobutyric acid and Nitric oxide metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid of Egyptian women suffering of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia [FM] is a complex chronic disorder predominately affects women. The lack of objective analytical image for diagnosis and prognosis of FM attract many investigators to evaluate the neuroendocrine changes in body fluids that may be related to the pathophysiology of FM. To compare the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5-HIAA, serotonin metabolite], gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] and nitric oxide [NO] metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] of normoglycemic women suffering of FM with those of control group. In addition, levels of insulin, insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], cortisol, 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT, serotonin], GABA, and NO metabolites were determined in serum of FM patients compared to control group. Moreover, the correlations between all the studied parameters were performed. The present study showed altered serum levels of insulin and cortisol in normoglycemic women suffering of FM [n=15] compared to those of control group [n=15]. However, the data did not find significant differences between serum levels of IGF-1 in women suffering of FM and those in healthy women. Cortisol levels in FM sera were inversely correlated with the number of tender points [r=-0.76, p<0.001]. Also, negative correlation was observed between serum IGF-1 levels and age of FM patients [r=-0.63, p< 0.05]. Low levels of serum 5-HT and CSF 5-HIAA were also noticed among women suffering of FM. A decrement of both serum and CSF levels of GABA in those patients compared to controls was detected. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between serum GABA levels and serum cortisol levels [r=0.61, p< 0.05], and between CSF GABA and 5-HT [r=0.56, p< 0.05]. However, CSF GABA levels were negatively correlated with age of women suffering of FM. These findings may clarify the significant role of GABA in the pathogenesis of FM. A higher serum and CSF levels of NO metabolites were detected in FM patients than in control group. In addition, serum levels of NO metabolites were correlated with those levels in CSF [r=0.63, p< 0.05]. The involvement of NO in pain process was revealed by a strong correlation between serum and CSF levels of NO metabolites with the number of tender points [r=0.91, p< 0.001; r=0.73, p< 0.01 respectively]. Also, by a negative correlation between serum levels of NO metabolites and serum cortisol levels [r=0.70, p< 0.01] in FM patients. The changes in the levels of studied hormones and neurotransmitters in women suffering of FM support the hypothesis of neuroendocrine involvement in FM pathogenesis. The current study suggested that GABA and NO may play a role in modulating FM. Alterations of their levels in serum and CSF of women suffering of FM and their correlations with age, number of tender points and/ or cortisol may confirm this suggestion. Accordingly, this investigation recommended the examination of GABAergic agents, NO synthase [NOS] inhibitors, or antioxidants for therapy of various symptoms in women suffering of FM. Furthermore, our study may find utility of these neurotransmitters as possible markers of FM, but this study warrant more investigations to confirm these findings

Studies on the biology and pathogenicity of free living amoebae in Sohag

Naegleria and Acanthamoeba are facultative parasites that cause mild to severe meningoencephalitis. In this study, samples were randomly collected from different water and soil sources in Sohag City and cultured on non-nutrient agar medium previously seeded with Escherichia coli. The morphological characters of the isolated amoebae were studied using different stains. The pathogenicity of the isolated amoebae was studied through inoculation into albino rats and rabbits. Rat inoculation with Naegleria trophozoites resulted in a severe histopathological effect on brain tissue, while Acanthamoeba failed to induce infection. Acanthamoeba keratitis could be established in the cornea of rabbits

6 Months follow-up study of patients treated by direct stenting versus those treated by conventional predilatation and stenting

Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare the long-term clinical outcomes of direct coronary stenting compared to balloon predilatation followed by stent placement

Methods: We studied the clinical outcomes after 6 months for 2 groups of patients. The 1[st] group included 40 patients who had direct stenting; the 2nd group included 40 patients who had a stern only if the post balloon residual restenosis was > 30%. The 2 groups were matching regarding risk factors as well as type and length of lesions

Results: Incidence of complications During the follow up period, in group I; no patient died, one patient developed MI [2.5%] and one patient developed angina [2.5%]. In group II one patient developed MI [2.5%] and 2 patients developed unstable angina [5%]; p value > 0.05 with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Incidence of restenosis: In this study 11 patients in GI had significant target artery restenosis [27.5%] versus 13 patients in GII [32.5%] with no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups

Conclusion: The long term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary intervention are equivalent when comparing direct stenting with stenting after predilatation

Brain oxidative reactions and nitric oxide relation to the pro-and anticonvulsive activity of nitric oxide synthase modulators in pentylenetetrazol seizure model in mice

This study was carried out to investigate the possible effects and relation of brain levels of nitric oxide [NO], malondialdehyde [MDA] and glutathione [GSH], using the NO donor L-arginine [L-Arg, 75-1200 mg/kg] and the NO inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L- NAME, 25-150 mg/kg] and flunarizine [Flu, 10-40 mg/kg] and calcium channel blocker alone and in different combinations on pentylenetetrazol [PTZ] seizure severity, latency and threshold in mice. L-NAME decreased PTZ seizure threshold and caused a significant dose-dependent proconvulsant effect, which was partially antagonized by Flu [20 mg/kg]. Meanwhile, L-Arg produced a significant anti- convulsant activity and increased the FTZ threshold. Mortality was decreased by pretreatment with L-NAME, while all animals receiving protective doses of L-Arg did not show any mortality. In PTZ treated animals, MDA levels were increased, while GSH levels were decreased; this change was not related directly to the decreased brain NO levels by L-NAME. However, L-Arg significantly increased the formation of NO, which was associated with decreased lipid peroxidation. Moreover, it prevented the effect of PTZ on MDA and GSH. Flu failed to alter brain NO levels, but it caused about 10 folds increase in MDA and 2.5 folds increase in GSH when combined with L-Arg

Serum and synovial fluid transforming growth factor beta, interleukin-1 beta and hyaluronan in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Serum and synovial fluid levels of transforming growth factor beta [TGF-beta], interleukin-1 beta [IL-1 beta] and hyaluronan in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis were estimated. Twenty- three and twenty-two serum and synovial fluid [SF] samples were obtained from patients with osteoarthritis [OA] and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and thirteen serum samples from age and sex matched controls. Serum TGF-beta, IL-1 beta and HA levels were significantly elevated in OA and RA patients compared with control group. The significant increase of these previous serum markers was observed in RA patients compared with OA patients, whereas no significant differences were obtained in SF TGF-beta levels between the two groups. On the other hand, SFHA levels were reduced significantly in OA and RA patients with high index radiological progression, whereas serum HA and SF IL-1 beta levels were elevated significantly in RA patients with high index radiological progression. In RA patients, SF IL-1 beta levels were also correlated significantly with the clinical variables. Concerning the biochemical markers interrelationship, SFHA levels were negatively correlated with SF IL-1 beta level and RA, respectively. Also, SFHA levels were correlated with SF TGF-beta-levels in OA and RA, respectively. Moreover, negative correlation was observed between serum HA and SFHA in RA patients

Histological and biochemical study of the effects of cadmium alone or associated with selenium in the rat

This work was carried out to investigate the effect of cadmium [Cd] given alone in a subacute dose or in association with selenium [Se] on the structure of the rat liver, kidney, heart and cerebellum. In addition, the levels of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase [GBH-Px] and reduced glutathione [GSH]as lipid peroxidation were assessed biochemically in both cases. Ten days after Cd treatments, the effect extended to involve all the investigated organs. However, the liver was the least affected one. It showed clumping of the cellular organelles mitochondrial inclusions and accumulation of cytoplasmic fibrillar material. The effect on the kidney was highly destructive mainly involving the proximal convoluted tubules and to a lesser extent the distal convoluted tubules. The heart showed mitochondrial destruction and degeneration of the myofilaments. In the cerebellar cortex, there was loss of the organelles particularly in the peripheral part. These changes were correlated with the oxidative stress induced by Cd. This was confirmed by the marked depletion of GSH, reduction of GSH-Px and increased lipid peroxidation detected biochemically

Up-date insight into joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis study of serum and synovial fluid markers: soluble interleukin-2 receptor, hyaluronan, and alpha acid glycoprotein

This study aimed to measure serum and synovial fluid [SE] levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R], hyaluronic [hyaluronic acid, HA] and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein [AGP] in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and determined whether they correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity and evaluate their values as specific markers for inflammation and joint damage. The sIL-2R levels were determined by ELISA, whereas serum and synovial fluid levels of both hyaluronan and AGP were determined by colorimetric methods. Twenty-five serum and eleven SF samples were obtained from patients with RA and twenty serum samples from age and sex matched controls. The results indicated that serum and synovial fluid of sIL-2R and HA might be more relevant markers of synovitis and inflammation. Their measurements in RA patients is useful in assessing disease activity, while serum and synovial fluid levels of AGP is considered as a useful marker in early rheumatoid arthritis

Studies on endoparasites of rodents in El-Minia governorate

100 rodents [52 Rattus rattus, 18 Rattus rattus norvegicus and 30 Mus musculus] were captured from El-Menia Governorate and were examined for endoparasites. 70% of them were found infected with one or more helminth and/or protozoan parasites. Parasites encountered were Haplorchis pumilio, Haplorchis yokogawai, Prohemistomum vivax, Hymenolepis nana var. fraterna, Syphacia obvelata and Spirura sp. The latter nematode was described for the first time from Egypt. Protozoan parasites were Trypanosoma [Herpetosoma] lewisi, Trypanosoma [Herpetosoma] musculi, Giardia muris and Trichomonas muris. Results obtained were compared with previous works and the role of rodents in parasitic transmission to man was discussed

Detection of interleukin 8 and auto antibodies to interleukin 8 in the serum of patients with lichen planus

An enzyme linked immunosorbant assay ELISA was used to determine the serum concentration of interleukin 8 and auto antibodies to interleukin 8 in fifteen patients with oral lichen planus only, seven patients with oral and skin lichen planus as well as ten healthy control subjects. Interleukin 8 was detectable in the serum of eleven of fifteen patients with lichen planus and five of seven patients with oral and skin lichen planus but none of the healthy controls showed detectable serum interleukin 8. Significantly, elevated auto antibodies to interleukin 8 were detected in two patients groups. However, their values did not correlate significantly with clinical condition of the disease including affected side; distribution and the duration. The results of this work may [lend] support the role of immune mechanism in the etiopathogenesis of oral lichen planus

experimental study of the effect of cyclosporine: a on normal versus inflamed gingiva

The present study was designed to investigate the histological feature inducedby cyclosporin-A [Cs-A] on clinically healthy and induced inflammatorycondition of the gingiva. Twenty four albino rats were used. Silk ligaturewas tighted around the mandibular incisors to act as a local irritating factorin 12 of them. Rats subdivided into two equal groups. Control group injectedwith 30 mg/Kg/body weight of cyclosporin A and included 6 rats with clinicallyhealthy gingiva and other 6 of induced inflamed gingival tissues. The resultsdemonstrated a highly hyperplastic feature in the epithelium associated withincreased collagen deposition with few fibroblasts, inflammatory cellinfiltrates in the underlying connective tissue. No significant difference ofgingival tissue changes or level of protein synthesis were detected betweenclinically healthy and inflamed gingival tissues upon Cs-A medication. It wasconcluded that, Cs-A induced gingival enlargement, and this work provides ananimal model for further investigation of other factors that might contributewith Cs-A in production of gingival over growth

Role of T and B lymphocytes in spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation in chronic inflammatory periodontal disease

Spontaneous lymphocyte responses of whole mononuclear cells [MNCs, T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocyte in patients with periodontal disease and theircontrols were studied in this work utilizing the tritiated thymidine uptakeassay. The periodontitis patients exhibited lower lymphoproliferativeresponse of MNCs compared with the controls. However, theB-lymphoproliferative response of patients showed the highest proliferativeresponse compared with that of all cell types studied. This finding maysuggest that the elimination of T-cell affects the hyperresponsiveness ofB-lymphocyte state

Relation of parasitic infection to blood group in El Minia governorate, Egypt

148 patients attending the outpatient Tropical Medicine clinic, El Minia University Hospital were studied for parasitic infections in relation to ABO blood groups .There was a statistically significant relationship between G. lamblia infection [69.23%] and blood group [A], as well as a tendency of blood group B to be excess among cases of E. coli [46.15%]. On the other hand S. haematobium, S. mansoni, H. nana, E. vermicularis, A. lumbricoides and E. histolytica showed no significant relationship to ABO blood groups

Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of the periodontal therapy by the placement of acrylic strips containing antibacterial drugs into the periodontal pockets

The role of specific Gram negative bacteria in the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease has been markedly reported in the last two decades. This study evaluates the effect of local application of tetracycline or metronidazole on the subgingival bacterial as well as the clinical condition of the gingiva. Twenty four periodontitis patients were included in this study, each patient had either metronidazole or tetracycline, incorporated into acrylic strips inserted subgingivally once weekly for 3 weeks. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from each patient immediately prior to insertion and after the removal of the strips. The collected bacterial plaque samples were cultured and identified. The results showed an improved gingival status and pocketing. Bacteriologically, the two drugs peoduced an increased number of cocci species with marked reduction of Gram negative rods, however metronidazole was more effective than tetracycline

Preliminary notes on the effect of praziquantel against hymenolepis nana and giardia lamblia

Praziquantel is the most recent anti-bilharzial drug being given orally. This study is an attempt to evaluate the effect of this drug against other parasitic infections, especially Hymenolepis nana and Giardia lamblia which are common among school children in Menia Governorate. For this purpose, sixty patients harboring these parasites were selected for this trial. Forty cases of them harbored Hymenolepis nana only, ten patients harbored Giardia lamblia only, while the third group [ten patients] harbored both infection. Three schedules were applied in this trial; 20 mg/kg bw as one dose, 40 m/kg bw divided into two doses with six hours interval and 40 mg/kg bw divided into three equal doses with six hours intervals. Follow up was carried out weekly for three months duration

Tympanometric measurements after successful myringoplasty

Measurement of middle ear compliance and hearing function after successful myringoplasty was studied. Factors such as perforation site and size were evaluated in relation to postoperative middle ear compliance and hearing function. The relationship between middle ear compliance and perforation site and size was significant. By contrast, the relationship between postoperative compliance and time of follow-up and postoperative hearing gain was not significant. In conclusion, graft affects compliance but not hearing gain. Post- operative middle ear parameters should be interpreted in relation to hearing sensitivity

Therapeutic effect of tinidazole in periodontal disease I- clinical evaluation

Twenty-four patients participated in the study. Every patient received scaling and root planing for one side and the other side was left without scaling to serve as control. All patients were given 1 g of tinidazole for 2 days. The gingival index, plaque index, periodontal index and the periodontal pocket depth were recorded before scaling and at 2, 6, 8 weeks. There was an improvement in the periodontal health status, which may suggest the use of tinidazole as valuable adjunct in the periodontal therapy