Histopathological examination and DNA ploidy in gastro-esophageal reflux disease

This study was carried out on 60 cases with typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] with the aim of assessing the value of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, histopathological examination [HPE] and DNA ploidy [probable number of chromosomes in the nucleus] in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] and its complications, especially the early detection of malignant transformation. Histopathological examination showed normal histological findings in eight patients [group I], chronic inflammation in forty patients [group II] and intestinal columnar metaplasia in twelve patients [group III]. DNA analysis revealed that all cases in group I had diploid DNA pattern. In group II, 26 patients had diploid DNA pattern and 14 patients had tetraploid pattern. In group III, six patients had diploid pattern, four patients had tetraploid pattern and two cases had aneuploid DNA pattern

Role of insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and insulin in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension among Egyptian patients

Insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and insulin hormone were measured in 62 hypertensive Egyptian patients [46 males and 16[th] to clarify the possible role of each in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and its complications. Patients age ranged between 30-63 years, with a mean age [48.92 +/- 8.19] and the duration of hypentension ranged between 1-10 years, with a mean [3.74 +/- 2.4]. The data of the patients were compared with 20 healthy individuals, matching in age and sex, as a control group [group I]. The comparison of results of all groups with those of the control group showed that all hypertensive patients, as one group, had a significant increase in the mean value of serum IGF-l [P < 0.001]. Uncomplicated patients [Group II] showed insignificant increase in the mean value of serum IGF-1 [P > 0.19]. However patients with left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH] [group III] showed a significant increase in the mean value of serum IGF [P < 0.001]. Patients with retinopathy [group IV] had insignificant increase of the mean value of IGF-1 [P < 0.27]. In hypertensive patients with both LVH and retinopathy [group V], there was a significant increase in IGF-1 [P < 0.001]. There was also a significant increase in the mean value of serum insulin level of all the studied patient groups [II, III, IV, V], in comparison with those of group I [P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 respectively]. These results suggest a role of IGF-l and Insulin in the pathogensis of hypertension and LVH. There was insignificant correlation between serum IGF-I and the duration of hypertension. There was a positive correlation between the severity of hypertension and the progression of retinopathy. There was a significant decrease in the mean value of serum IGF-1 in patients treated by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ACE inhibitor] compared to those treated by other medication or those without any medication. [P < 0.001]

Bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis: influence of disease activity, duration and therapeutic agents

Various risk factors of osteoporosis are encountered in rheumatoid artheritis [RA]: age, menopause and corticosteroid therapy. The aim of this work is to quantify bone mineral density [BMD] in RA patients and to evaluate the importance of disease duration, activity and therapy on BMD. Bone mineral density was estimated at non dominant forearm in 51 RA patients by dual X-Ray absorptiometry [SXA]. The results of this study showed decreased mean [ +/- SD] of BMD of all studied RA patients that were negatively correlated with the disease duration and total number of the affected joints [P < 0.05 and P < 0.5 respectively]. 58% of the studied patients had either osteopenia or osteoporosis and T-score was significantly correlated with the grip strength of both hands [r = 0.338 and r = 0.357]. In conclusion generalized osteoporosis occurs in RA and can be considered multifactorial. Reduced physical activity and disease activity are important determinents. Thus, in addition to the control of RA activity and maintenance of physical activity, osteoporosis should be managed