Des-y-carboxy prothrombin as screening marker for patients with de novo hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate the predictability of estimation of serum Des-y-carboxyprothrombin [DCP] in cirrhotic and chronic hepatitis C [CHC] patients for the development of de novo hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] in comparison to alpha-fetoprotein [APP]. The study included 90 patients; 30 patients with CHC, 20 patients with HCC and 30 compensated cirrhotic patients and 10 controls. Patients with CRC and cirrhosis were followed up for de novo development of HCC by sonography and/or computed tomography [CT]. Blind liver biopsies were done and histopathological inflammatory activity and fibrosis stage of CHC and cirrhotic patients were evaluated according to Scheuer classification and HCC was also graded. For all patients and controls serum levels of DCP and alpha fetoprotein were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Serum levels of AFP and DCP were significantly elevated in patients' groups compared to control group and in HCC patients compared to CRC and cirrhosis groups with significantly elevated levels in cirrhotic patients compared to CHC patients. There was a positive correlation between serum levels of both DCP and AFP and total Scheuer score in cirrhotic and CRC groups and HCC pathological grading. Regression analysis of serum levels of DCP and AFP defined DCP as the significant predictor for pathological grading of HCC and the combined use of both markers improved the predictability of AFP. Throughout follow-up period, 4 [13.3%] cirrhotic patients developed HCC. ROC curve analysis showed that estimation of serum DCP [AUC=0.892] was significantly more specific predictor for de novo HCC than AFP [AUCzO.608]. ROC analysis defined serum DCP and AFP levels at 38 mAU/ml and 16 ng/ml as cutoff point for prediction of de novo HCC with AUC=0.698 and 0.565, specificity rate of 887% and 73.6%. accuracy rate of 86.7% and 70%, and sensitivity rate of 71 .4% and 42.9%, respectively. Serum DCPin cirrhotic and CHC patients free of HCC could predict de novo development of HCC with higher specificity than AFP but diagnostic validity could be improved by estimation of both markers

Volatile compounds and antioxidant activity from cysteine/ribose and beef fat model system

This study was designed to examine the volatile compounds, antioxidant activity and safety evaluation of the reaction products between beef fat and triglycerides with cysteine and ribose model systems. Sixty nine and sixty three volatile compounds were isolated and identified in beef fat/cysteine/ ribose and beef triglyceride/cysteine/ribose model systems, respectively with the predominance of esters and sulfur-containing compounds. Sensory evaluation was also performed for the model systems according to ISA and the results revealed that the presence of volatiles having roasted meat-like aroma might be due to certain components such as pyrazine and thiazobes derivatives as the main compounds. The radical scavenging activity of the model systems was quantified spectrophotometrically, using DPPH radical and ?-carotene bleaching assays. Biological evaluation was also carried out to determine the safety of meaty flavor produced by studying the Maillard reaction products [MRPs] supplementation on body weight, relative organs weight, liver and kidney functions, as well as level of total antioxidant capacity as antioxidant biomarkers

Urolithiasis: microbiological and biochemical studies of 107 cases in Benghazi, Libya

In an attempt to correlate the chemical composition of renal stones with urinary tract infections [UTI] and serum biochemical parameters, a total of 107 Libyan patients with Urolithiasis [81 males, 26 females; age: 81-65 years] were studied. It was observed that of the 107 renal stones; 24 [22.4%], 1 [0.9%], 2 [1.9%], 29 [27.1%], 4 [3.7%], 19 [17.8%], 8 [7.5%], 12 [11.2%] and 8 [7.55%] were composed of calcium oxalate [S1], calcium phosphate [S2] uric acid [S3], S4 [i.e., S1+S2], S5 [i.e., S1+52+ ammonium oxalate + ammonium phosphate] and S9 [i.e., S7+S8] respectively. The preoperative urine cultures of all cases showed that Echerichia coli was the predominating organism [39.2%] followed by non-significant growth [26.2%], Enterobacter species [1.95]. The analysis of the frequency of occurrence of various types of renal stones in relation to UTI revealed that E. coli was associated with the highest occurrence of S1 [67%], S2 [100%], S3 [50%], S4 [31%], S5 [05%], and S8 [41%]. The S6, S7 and Sp were associated in high percentages with NSG [S6: 37%, S7: 37.5%, S9: 38%]. Further assay of serum biochemical parameters [calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, sodium, potassium, creatinine and uric acid] failed to identify any significant metabolic abnormality which may predispose to renal stone formation. It is therefore hypothesized that UTI is a major factor, with E. coli the predominant infectious agent, responsible for the problem of Urolithiasis in Eastern Libyans

iron status in Libyan patients with urinary tract infection

The serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferring saturation and serum ferritin levels were investigated in 24 Libyan patients with urinary tract infections [UTI] and in 24 age-sex matched controls. The mean serum iron and transferring saturation values were observed to be significantly lower in patients with UTI as compared to controls [P<0.01]. However, no significant differences were noted for the total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin levels between patients and controls. It is concluded that low serum iron levels in patients with UTI is a reflection of the sequestration into reticuloendotheliel system rather than an absolute iron deficiency. Therefore, it seems unlikely that iron deficiency is a contributory factor in the aetiopthogenesis of urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections A retrospective study from Seventh of April Hospital, Benghazi

In a retrospective study, significant bacteriuria, indicating urinary tract infection, occurred in 32% of specimens received from urological units and in 14% of specimens received from the other units in "Seventh of April" Hospital. E. coli was the predominant organism isolated from both groups of patients [305 and 45% respectively]. Some degree of resistance to cotrimethoxazole was found in most organisms isolated

Bacterial flora in chronic suppurative otitis media in Benghazi

A study of bacterial flora in one hundred cases of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media [CSOM] was carried out at the 7th April Teaching Hospital, in Benghazi. This study included culture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and culture for fungi in all cases. The commonest pathogens identified were Pseudomonas sp. [26%], Staphylococci [25%] and Proteus sp. [23%]. Fungi were isolated in 9% of cases. No growth was seen in 15% of the specimens cultured. No anaerobic organisms were cultred. No resistant strains were identified by an antibiogram study