Serum enzyme activities in human thyroid diseases

The study enrolled a total of 76 patients with thyroid gland diseases, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The activities of the enzyme amylase, gamma glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase were evaluated in these diseases state and were compared with normal healthy thyroid gland. The specimens were obtained from different hospitals in Baghdad and from routine clinical works. Diagnosis of patients with thyroid gland diseases hyper and hypothyroidism by evaluation of enzymes activity of amylase, GGT and ALP. Two groups of patients were used: The first consists of 38 patients with hyperthyroidism, the second consists of also 38 are patients with hypothyroidism. Twenty five of each group was investigated for amylase, GGT, ALP and were compared with third group of 25 normal healthy thyroid gland. The remaining 13 out of 38 patients of each group were tested for enzymes, amylase, GGT, ALP, GOT, GPT and evaluate the hormones, they were compared with third group of 10 normal healthy thyroid gland. There was a highly significant increase and decrease in the activity of amylase, GGT and ALP in hyper and hypothyroidism patients [P<0.001] when compared with third group normal. Diagnosis of patients with thyroid gland diseases can be confirmed by enzymes investigation in blood serum and hormonal assay

Retrocaval ureter with hydronephrosis

Retrocaval ureter is one of the rare congenital anomalies. We report a case of retrocaval ureter who presented with right lumbar pain, renal stone and hydronephrosis. The diagnosis was made on intravenous urography which showed typical "J" shape deformity in the proximal dilated ureter with moderate hydronephrosis. CT scan mapped out the course of ureter. The patient was operated and findings were confirmed. The ureter was transected near the pelvis, renal stone removed and a uretero-uretral anastomosis with anteriorisation of the ureter performed

Do you accept to receive a transfusion from a donor with altered liver functions? [a multinational trial]

An absolutely safe blood transfusion without infection risk is still an elusive goal and despite thorough screening facilities distrust and suspicion remain. This is even more of a challenge in areas of high endemicity of different forms of hepatitis. Therefore, in addition to evaluating the routine serologic markers [HBsAg and HCV antibody screens], we decided to study certain liver function tests [alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and gamma glutamyl transferrase [GGT] in a group of 1329 serial blood donors. The donors belonged to 26 different nationalities and were all males between the ages of 18 and 60. It was surprising to record an impressively high prevalence of altered liver parameters, ranging from 14.9% for high total bilirubin up to 37.1% for high ALT. among donors of most nationalities. The incidence of HBsAg and HCV antibody reactivity among the cohort, however, was only 5% and 3%. respectively. Moreover, there was no clear association between the seroreactivity and biochemical abnormalities: greater than 86% of the donors exhibiting altered liver tests were non-reactive for HBsAg or HCV antibodies, and on the other h and, completely normal liver function parameters were encountered in 28.8% of the HBsAg-positive and 22.5% of the HCV antibody-reactive population. Thus the etiology of the anomalous liver function tests in our donors is still largely unknown. After excluding donors who were reactive for HBsAg or HCV as well as those with abnormal biochemistry values we ended up with only 28.9% of the initial number of donors [384/1329]. Although the significance of altered liver function parameters in people who are seronegatiue is not yet established, it is crucial in our situation to exclude the possibility that it reflects a prevalent blood transmissible agent