Dosimetric Study of Rhizophora Spp. Particle Board Using Gafchromic XRQA2 Film

@#Introduction: Various phantom with varied materials has been proposed to replace the human body. Besides, there is always a demand to use the local material as a phantom material, which is readily available and inexpensive. Wood is usually preferred because it is multifunction, environmentally friendly, low in toxic, inexpensive, as well as easy to use and prepare. Previous studies have found that Rhizophora spp. is a suitable natural source material and has been suggested due to its comparable dosimetric properties to commercial phantom. Methods: In this study, fabricated Rhizophora spp. particleboards phantom was opted as a solid-equivalent phantom medium at low energy photon beams using Gafchromic film x-ray quality assurance 2 (XRQA2). Additionally, the characteristics of XRQA2 film in the diagnostic energy range were generated. Results: Interestingly, the density of the fabricated Rhizophora spp particleboards was observed to have the same density with the water equivalent material (ρ= 1.00 g.cm-3) and has shown to have loosened agreement with PDD of water phantom at approximately 25% of the dose error. Also, further analysis using XRQA 2 film showed that energy was independent at different ranges. Conclusion: The analysis of fabricated Rhizophora spp particleboards undertaken here has extended our knowledge of the possibility of manufacturing cost-effective water equivalent phantom by using binder-less particleboard from Rhizophora spp. Therefore, a definite need for smaller interspacing particles should be considered to elevate the potential of Rhizophora spp particle boards as water equivalent materials.

[Brain tumors and epilepsy: postoperative evaluation of surgical procedures]

To study the efficacy of surgery on the postoperative control of epilepsy in patients operated for brain tumors. Forty patients operated for supratentoriel cerebral tumors with epilepsy, at Hotel-Dieu de France [HDF] hospital center, between 1983 and 2005, were included in this study. Clinical, paraclinical and surgical information were collected. The extent of the tumor resection was based on the postoperative MRI results. The mean duration of the follow-up was 52 +/- 6 months [from 6 months to 10 years]. 62.5% of our patients have had acute seizures [<1 year] and 37% had experienced chronic seizures [>/= 1 year]. The histopathologic exam revealed 2 DNET, 3 pilocytic astrocytomas, 2 diffuse astrocytomas, 6 A oligodendrogliomas, 7 B oligodendrogliomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas and 13 meningiomas. Twenty-two patients had a complete resection, whereas the postoperative MRI of 18 patients have shown a tumoral remnant. After one year of follow-up, a complete remission was noted in 57,5% of the patients [EngelI]. The prognostic factors of good outcome were: low-grade glial tumors [I +/- II], meningiomas, and complete tumor resection. The efficacy of surgery for epilepsy associated to cerebral tumors, established by the majority of articles, matched the results obtained for the patients operated at HDF, with complete seizures control in 57,5% of patients. This control depended essentially on the extent of tumor resection and on tumor's nature

Prophylactic and curative effects of oat bran [Avena sativa] against hyperlipidaemia in albino rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidaemic effect of oat bran in albino rats. To achieve this goal, two main experiments included 56 female Swiss rats were conducted. The first was Prophylactic experiment comprised of 24 rats in three groups as follows: Group 1: negative control, fed on normal diet, Group 2: positive control received hyperlipidaemic diet [HL-D] and Group 3: received daily HL-D along with oat bran at a dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 8 weeks. The second was Curative experiment comprised of 32 rats. Eight rats served as negative control [Group 1], and the other rats were subjected to the induction of experimental hyperlipidaemia for 4 weeks. Then the hyperlipidaemic rats were divided randomly into equal three groups as follows: Group 2: Hyperlipidaemic rats served as positive control for 4 weeks. Group 3: Hyperlipidaemic rats received oat bran at a daily dose of 2.70 g kg[-1] b.w. for 4 weeks Group 4: Hyperlipidaemic rats received a daily p.o dose of 3.6 mg kg[-1] b.w of simvastatin as reference drug for the same period. The results revealed that HLD supplementation increased plasma lipid profile [triglycerides, total cholesterol [T.C] and LDL], risk ratio [T.C/HDL and LDL/HDL], liver cholesterol, serum enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]]. However, a daily administration of oat bran with HL-D was significantly able to suppress the lipotropic effects of HL-D in plasma and liver in both experiments. This study concluded that oat bran supplemented diet is an effective hypolipidaemic agent

Health compromising behaviours and perception of student -teacher interpersonal relationship among secondary school students in Benghazi City, Libya

Adolescents are vulnerable to the risks of smoking, drug addiction, alcohol and violence. This is also a time of high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This study was conducted firstly to investigate some of the health compromising behaviours present among secondary school students, their correlates and associations Secondly, to assess the students views and teachers perceptions about student-teacher interpersonal relationship and its correlation with the students' health compromising behaviours. A descriptive, cross-sectional study using a multistage, stratified, school-based, cluster sampling design conducted in Benghazi city, Libya where 985 secondary school students [440 girls and 545 boys] and 111 teachers in 21 secondary schools were included. Two predesigned tested self administered questionarriars were used for data collection, the first for students including open ended questions investigating different heath compromising risky behaviours. The second for both teachers and students to assess the perception and views of students and teachers about student -teacher interpersonal relationship. The results of this study demonstrate the high and increasing levels of risk behaviors among the students. Tobacco use was reported by [14.8%] of students [12.7%] current cigarette and [5.3%] water pipe smokers, Alcohol [7.0%] and drug use [9.4%], Sexual behaviour [16.6%], Unhealthy nutrition [64.4%], Unsafe driving [58.6%] and Violence related behaviour practiced by [42.7%]. Data also confirm the adolescents' tendency towards multiple risks where it was revealed that 63.5% of all studied students participate in two or more of the six investigated health compromising behaviors. By multiple regression analysis, male gender was the main influencing factor and additional work beside study found to be protective against involvement in risky practices. High mother education was found to be positively correlated with most of the risky behaviours among students. Significant correlation was found between the different investigated risky behaviours where violence related behaviour shows a highly significant positive correlation with all mentioned health risk behaviours. High discrepancies were found between the students' and teachers' perceptions related to their interpersonal relationship. Perceived poor relationship and communication with school teachers was found as one of the main determinants of risk taking behaviour among students. Strengthening the student - teacher interpersonal relationship may be protective against students' health compromising behaviours. The study findings provide valuable information to policy-makers, educators, health providers and community workers that can be used to improve the health and well-being of adolescents in Libya. Much more work must be done, through a multi-sectorial approach to promote a healthy population of adolescents and the young

Chronic subdural haematoma: a comparative study between twist-drill craniostomy and burr-hole technique

Surgical treatment of chronic subdural haematoma [CSH] is well established but the optimal technique to be used is still controversial. We performed a non-randomised retrospective comparative study on 154 patients with 199 CSHs [45 being bilateral] operated at the Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital between January 1995 and January 2004. The mean age was 61 years with male to female ratio of 125 male / 29 female. The two categories of patients treated with trepanation and twist-drill were comparable regarding age, sex, bilateral, clinical score of Markwalder and computed tomography scan results. The surgical technique used was trepanation in 109 and twist-drill in 45. The twist-drill technique is that described by Shulman with some modifications. Clinical evaluation was performed at 1 and 6 months after surgery. The postoperative complications, mortality and recurrence rate were respectively 10, 0.91 and 13.75% in the trepanation group and 2.2, 0.5 and 2.2% in the twistdrill group. Hospitalisation time was significantly lower in the twist-drill group [40% of the patients were discharged on the third day compared to 10% in the trepanation group]. We believe that the twist-drill technique for evacuation of CSH is less invasive, can be performed under local anaesthesia and allows for slow decompression of the brain with less complications, decreased possibility of recurrence and shorter hospital stay. More prospective randomised studies are needed to confirm this treatment of choice

Normal serum alkaline phosphatase in the presence of extensive skeletal metastases of prostate cancer

Alkaline phosphatase [ALP] is a nonspecific tumor marker as it is neither organ or tumor specific. An elevation of the enzyme in relation to carcinoma of the prostate is usually due to boene or liver involvement, or both, by metastatic disease. We report the case of a 91-year-old man who presented with chronic urinary retention. Investigations revealed prostate specific antigen [PSA] of 831.4 ng/ml, biochemical evidence of moderate renal impairment, normal liver function tests and normal alkaline phosphatase. Whole body skeletal scintigraphy with 99mTC-MDF showed widespread skeletal metastases. Transrectal ultrasound of the prostate revealed a 40 gm prostate gland with a hypoechoic defect in the periphery of the gland. Prostate biopsy revealed prostate cancer [Gleason's score 8]. Total serum testosterone, zinc and magnesium were below the normal range. Bone densitometry revealed osteoporosis. Channel transurethral resection of the prostate was performed together with bilateral orchidectomy. Testicular histology revealed atrophic tests. Normal serum alkaline phospatase in this patient in the presence of extensive skeletal metastases may be due to the combination of the following factors: relative hypogonadism, osteoporosis, low serum zinc and magnesium. This case report may provide a possible explanation for the observation that about 10% of men with widespread skeletal metastases from prostate cancer may not have elevated serum alkaline phosphatase

Blood donor screening for Hepatitis B and C in Benghazi: additional tests are needed

Traditionally prevention of transfusion-transmitted viral infections relies on screening blood donors using enzyme immunoassays [ElA]. To further enhance blood safety some countries employ anti-HBc testing to detect HBsAg negative donors. Improving safety is further complemented by genome screening using nucleic acid amplified technology [NAT]. to determine whether there is a need to reform our strategy for blood donor screening The central laboratory at Al-Fateh Children Hospital and the laboratory of the Center of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Blood donations previously collected and screened in the central blood bank were re-tested in our laboratories by EIA for HIV, HCV, and HBsAg. In addition samples from the same units were tested for anti-HBc using EIA and for HCV using NAT. A total of 100 blood donations were tested. All were negative for HBsAg, HIV, and HCV using EIA techniques. Ten [10%] units were anti-HBc reactive and six [6%] units were HCV-NAT reactive. Our results show that although all donations pass the traditional screening tests, using additional tests revealed that ten percent of them was potentially infectious for hepatitis B and another six percent was potentially infectious for hepatitis C. These findings clearly call for a genuine need to reform our policy for blood donor screening. Additional tests, namely the anti-HBc and nucleic acid amplification tests, need to be urgently introduced

Serum prostate-specific antigen levels in Middle Eastern men with subclinical prostatitis

To investigate the influence of subclinical or histologically diagnosed prostatitis on serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA] in patients investigated for prostatic disease in Kuwait. Serum PSA was assayed in patients investigated for prostatic disease in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Kuwait, between December 2002 and December 2004. These included patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound with needle biopsy of the prostate gland and those who were treated with transurethral resection of the prostate or retropubic prostatectomy. The tissue was evaluated for prostatitis as well as the underlying disease, and the type and severity of prostatitis were compared with levels of serum PSA. Of the 331 tissue specimens, 18 [5.4%] did not show prostatitis, while 233 [70.4%] with benign prostate and 80 [24.2%] with malignant prostate disease showed prostatitis. Of 270 men with known serum PSA levels, 198 and 72 had benign and malignant prostate disease, respectively. Of the 198, 77 [41%] with benign prostate disease and prostatitis and of the 72, 52 [76%] with malignant prostate disease and prostatitis had serum PSA levels >10 ng/ml. The data showed that although raised serum PSA is more commonly associated with prostate cancer, subclinical prostatitis is a significant source of high serum PSA in over 40% of men in Kuwait. That local factors may obscure the usefulness of serum PSA as a screening tool suggests the need for a locally applicable paradigm to identify prostate cancer

Genotypic and environmental interaction in advanced lines of rice under salt-affected soils of Punjab

Sixteen genotypes developed through hybridization and mutation breeding techniques were evaluated during the year 2003-04 on nine locations covering most of the area of Punjab province including Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Jhang. NIAB-IRRI-9, Jhona-379 salt tolerant genotypes and super Basmati, a salt sensitive variety were included as standard checks. The tested material [six genotypes] was generated by crossing fine varieties of rice viz. Basmati-370 and Basmati-385 with three coarse varieties of rice viz. NIAB-IRRI-9, Jhona-349 and NIAB-Rice-1. The mutants [seven mutants] were derived by gamma irradiation of rice varieties, Basmati-370 and Basmati-385. The nine sets of experiments were conducted in the naturally high saline sodic soils having EC range of 9.2-18.13 d/Sm pH=8.65-9.50, and SAR=20.7-37.15. The seed yield data collected at maturity and stability parameters were computed to know genotypic x environment interaction and varietals performance. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant variance in case of varieties, locations and varieties x locations interaction. Varieties and varieties x Environment [Lin] also showed highly significant differences. It means that genotypes exhibited different behavior in different locations / environments which is due to their different genetic make up. The behavior may be cross over [in which significant change in ranking occurs from one environment to another] or cross over nature [in which case the ranking of genotype remains constant across environments and the interaction is significant because of change in the magnitude of response] depending upon the ranking order of genotypes performance under different environment. In our study, only super Basmati behavior was of almost non cross over nature, while others had cross over type of interaction. Based on overall mean seed performance, mutant NIAB-Rice-4 and DM-38/88 produced significantly the highest grain yield [5.6 t/ha] followed by mutant line NIAB-Rice-5 [5.4 t/ha] and NIAB-rice-2 [5.3 t/ha]. The lowest performing genotype was super Basmati [3.0 t/ha]. The coarse variety Jhona-349 produced [4.8 t/ha] grain yield. Mutant line DM-38/88 showed significant regression co-efficient differences from unity while mutant line NIAB-Rice-4 showed non significant difference of regression co-efficient from unity. Mutant line, NIAB-Rice-4 also showed non significant difference of standard deviation to regression co-efficient from zero. All the three parameters of stability i.e. overall mean seed yield, regression co-efficient and standard deviation to regression, provided clear evidence that mutant line NIAB-Rice-4 produced maximum stable yield compared to super Basmati

Evaluation of advanced rice germplasm under water stress environment

Thirteen genotypes of rice comprising of approved varieties and elite candidate lines were studied at three different water regimes by supplying 12, 8 and 4 numbers of irrigations at different intervals/ stages. The experiment was conducted at NIAB Farm Faisalabad, Pakistan on a clay loam soil applying normal doses of N and P fertilizers during 2002-2003 keeping varieties in the main plot while treatments in sub plot. The data for twelve morphological characters i.e. days to flower, days to mature, plant height, panicle length, number of productive tillers, number of primary and secondary branches, 1000 grain weight, sterile grains per spike, number of total grains per spike, fertility percentage, grain yield were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared following DMR test. Effect of water stress on different morphological attributes in all treatments showed significant differences. Plant height, branches per plant, number of grains and grain yield reduced at less number of irrigations while sterility percentage was increased at less moisture conditions. Maximum grain yield [5349 Kg/ha] was achieved at T1 where 12 number of irrigations were applied at T2 [8 irrigations] and T3 [4 irrigations]. The yield reduction was observed from 30.32% to 42.53%, respectively as compared to T1 [12 irrigations]. Rice variety DM 64198 produced the highest seed yield [4766 Kg/ha] followed by DM-3-89 [4770 Kg/ha].This might be due to different genetic make up of the breeding lines and their behavior and interaction in water stress environment. Furthermore, high irrigation level made possible the appropriate water availability possible at proper time for performing different types of physiochemical processes of development that hindered at less number of irrigation or water stress environment. It may be concluded that for achieving maximum economic yield, at least 12 irrigations were essential otherwise the production will be reduced to a considerable extent

Genotype and environment interaction effect on yield of cotton under naturally salt stress condition

Thirteen genotypes of cotton developed through hybridization and mutation breeding techniques were evaluated during two consecutives years 2002-03-04 on eight locations covering most of the area of Punjab province including Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Jhang. The eight sets of experiments were conducted in the naturally highly saline sodic soils, EC ranges from 7.8-36.1 d/Sm, pH=8.1-8.8, SAR=10.1-40.5, Saturation percentage 31.3-40.8 and texture Sandy Clay loam and Clay loam. The seed yield data was collected at maturity and stability parameters were computed to know genotypic environment interaction and varietals performance. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant variance in case of varieties, locations and varieties x environment [Lin] also showed highly significant differences. It means that genotypes exhibited different behavior in different locations/environments which is due to their different genetic make up. The behavior may be cross over [in which significant change in ranking order occurs from one environment to another] or cross over nature [in which case the ranking of genotypes remains constant across environments and the interaction is significant because of change in the magnitude of response] depending upon the ranking order of genotypes performance under different environments. In our study only S-12 behavior was of almost non cross over nature, while others had cross over type of interaction. Based on over all seed yield cotton variety NIAB-999 and CIM-707 produced highest seed yield cotton [3.2 t/ha, 3.17t/ha]. The lowest seed yield cotton was noted in S-12 [1.86 t/ha]. All the three parameters of stability i.e. overall mean seed yield cotton, regression coefficient and standard deviation to regression provided clear evidence that variety NIAB-999 and CIM-707 produced maximum stable yield compared to S-12

Genotypic and environmental interaction in advanced lines of wheat under salt-affected soils environment of Punjab

Wheat cultivars of diverse origin including approved varieties of different provinces of Pakistan i.e. Punjab, NWFP and Sindh were tested against different salinity levels in laboratory as well as in naturally saline fields in different ecological zones. Initially, 16 genotypes were studied for germination test at 6 different salinity levels ranging from 0-25 dS/m [2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, EC= dS/m]. Then, out of 16 cultivars, 11 were studied for the relative growth rate at different levels of salinity and after their study in the laboratory, 9 genotypes were selected for testing in the naturally saline areas of Punjab province. Under germination percentage study, the varieties viz. Pasban-90, Sarsabz, Bakhtawar, 93032 and 933118 were less affected than other varieties. As regards the relative plant growth, varieties viz. Sarsabz, Bakhtawar, and Pasban-90 were tolerant to salinity at seedling stage while Inqlab was graded as sensitive to salt stress. Regarding field performance, significant differences were observed in the varieties grown under different saline environments and varieties x environment interaction. Varieties x environment [Lin] interaction was non significant while nonlinear interaction [pooled deviation] was significant. Based on overall yield performance, the Sarsabz variety produced the highest seed yield [4.37 T/ha] followed by Bakhtawar [4.24 T/ha] and Pasban-90 [3.93 T/ha]. Regression coefficient values showed non significant differences to unity while standard deviation to regression showed significant differences to zero. These results indicated that the genotypes viz. Sarsabaz, Bakhtawar and Pasban-90 are better tolerant to saline environment as compared to others. The two genotypes, Marvi and 25219 had low regression values and can fit under stress environment

Genotype and environmental interaction in cowpea [Vigna Unguiculata-L] for yield and disease resistance

Twenty-six cowpea cultivars were tested for yellow mosaic virus resistance at NIAB Faisalabad. NCPM-1, Elite, IT-84-552, No.44, P-518, S.A. Dandy, IT-97k-350-4, IT-93K-452, IT-97K-1042-8 and IT-97K-497-2 showed resistant reaction to yellow mosaic virus disease. As the study was aimed to select disease resistant and high yielding cultivars. Five cultivars viz. NCPM-1, Elite. S.A. Dandy, IT-97K-497-2 and IT-97K-1042-8 were chosen and evaluated at five different ecological zones during the year 2003. At each location, the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design keeping 7.2 m[2] plot size in three repeats. At maturity the seed yield was collected and subjected to analysis of variance following stability parameters, varieties, environment and varieties x environment showed significant differences. Significant and highest seed yield [880 kg/ha] was observed in NIAB cowpea mutant-1 followed by Elite [729 Kg/ha]. The highest yielding genotypes i.e. NIAB cowpea Mutant-1 and Elite showed non-significant differences of regression coefficient from one. Moreover these genotypes also exhibited non-significant difference of standard deviation to regression from zero. Based on three parameters i.e. high mean seed yield, regression coefficient and standard deviation to regression, these genotypes showed excellent and trustworthy stable performance over different environment. Hopefully these genotypes will definitely be helpful for increasing one local production of cowpea crop

Effect of salinity on chlorophyll concentration, leaf area, yield and yield components of rice genotypes grown under saline environment

Salt tolerance in eighteen advanced rice genotypes was studied under an artificially salinized [EC=8.5 dSm-1] soil conditions after 90 days of transplanting. The results showed that the yield per plant, chlorophyll concentrations, fertility percentage, and number of productive tillers, panicle length and number of primary braches per panicle of all the genotypes were reduced by salinity. However, genotypes viz. Jhona-349 x Basmati- 370, NR-1, DM-59418, DM-63275, DM-64198 and DM-38-88 showed better salinity tolerance than others

Testicular torsion: a perspective from the Middle East

Objective: To report our experience in the management of testicular torsion with emphasis on seasonal variation, salvage rate and the status of the torted testis 3-6 months after orchidopexy

Subjects and Methods: Seventy-five patients with a presumptive diagnosis of testicular torsion, who presented to our hospital between January 1999 and December 2002, were included in the study. Following scrotal exploration, 63 patients were found to have testicular torsion. Of these, 11 with nonviable testes had orchiectomy while 52 with viable testes had orchidopexy. Both groups of patients had simultaneous contralateral orchidopexy. Patients who had orchidopexy were followed up 3-monthly by testicular ultrasound to assess the volume of the affected testis

Results: Sixty-three patients were confirmed to have testicular torsion. The average number of new cases in the winter was 6.7 compared to 4 in the summer. Fifty-two patients underwent orchidopexy to give an operative salvage rate of 82.5%. Of 51 patients in whom the duration of torsion was less than 24 h, 1 [2.0%] had a nonviable testis, whereas of 12 patients in whom the duration of torsion was more than 24 h, 10 [83.3%] had a nonviable testis. After a minimum follow-up of 3 months for patients who had orchidopexy, 7 [13.5%] developed testicular atrophy. The incidence rate was estimated to be 7.9 cases per 100,000 population

Conclusion: The highest incidence was during the cold season. The outcome of surgical management of testicular torsion was dependent on the duration of torsion

Trial of lamivudine in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers with persistent hepatitis B core IgM antibody

The persistence of hepatitis B core immunoglobulin M [HBc IgM] antibody in hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] carriers is a risk factor with hidden dangers and forecasts the existence of liver damage. A trial of lamivudine in such subset of carriers was carried out for the first time in this study. A total of 62 HBsAg with hepatitis e antibody individuals [age range, 25-45 years] with persistent HBc IgM antibody were randomized to receive either 100 mg lamivudine [32/62] or placebo [30/62] daily for 6 months. The study was performed from June 2000 to October 2002. The carriers were regular attendees of the Virology Center in Mosul, North Iraq for follow up. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was performed to detect the different hepatitis B virus markers. Among the lamivudine group, HBc IgM antibody seroclearance achievement rate was 81.3% and HBsAg seroconversion rate was 9.4% compared to 6.3% and 3.3% in the placebo group. Number of adverse clinical events were observed, but were of mild nature and tolerable by the participants who completed the study. The trial of lamivudine in this subset of HBsAg carriers proved to be safe and efficacious. More studies are needed prior to recommending the drug for routine use on selected HBV carriers

retrospective clinico pathological review of colorectal cancer in young patients compared to old patients

Retrospective Clinico pathological review was carried out on [63] cases of colorectal cancer extracted from histopathology files of AL-Yarmouk Teaching hospital in Baghdad, between April 2001 - April 2002. [16] patients were under the age of 40 [9 males and 7 females] with age ranging from [21 - 40] years. [47] patients were above the age 0 [27 males and 20 females] with age ranging [40-80] years. This study showed that the colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 25.3% of patients who were under 40 years of age and the peak of incidence was between [31-40] years. While the peak of incidence above 40 years was [51-60] years alteration of bowel habits, bleeding per rectum and anemia were common features in both groups. The rectum was the most commons site for tumors in young patients while sigmoid colon and rectum were the site in old patients. The histopathology finding showed that the most tumors in young patients were stage B2 and C with moderate and poorly differentiated a denocarcinoma indicating that the more malignant course of the disease was in young patients. So it must be given a special importance to the precisely diagnosis for this group and most of clinical assessment of bowel changes aren't carried seriously

Assessment of joint damage from analysis of released bone sialoprotein into synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Bone sialoprotein [BSP] was quantified in synovial fluids and sera from rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients to elucidate whether its release from bone relates to the degree of joint tissue destruction. BSP levels were determined by immunoassays of knee synovial fluids and of sera from 60 RA patients who were classified into 4 groups on the basis of radiographic knee joint tissue damage. Serum levels were compared with 15 matched healthy subjects as a control group. Synovial fluid concentrations of BSP increased with increasing degree of knee joint damage [F=13.5 and P<0.001]. Serum concentrations of BSP were increased above normal [t=5.9 and P<0.001]. but did not relate to the degree of joint damage [F=0.02 and P>0.05]. From these results we concluded that quantification of BSP in the synovial fluid can be useful as a mean for assessing the degree of tissue damage at the molecular level in patients with RA

T-lymphocyte helper 1 CD4 and T-lymphocyte helper 2 CD4 activities in active and remitant rheumatoid arthritis disease

This is an indirect study for the behaviour of T cell [T-Iymphocytes] particularly CD4+ T cell, in active and remitant rheumatoid arthritis disease, THl [cell mediated immunity] and TH2 [Antibody response] are the two major pathways of T cell differentiation and are mutually antagonistic. Their activities can be estimated through assessing the serum levels of their cytokines IL-2 and IL-I0 respectively. IL-2 and IL-I0 were estimated in the supernatant of Iymphocyte culture in the presence of phytohaemaglutinin before and after remission of the rheumatoid arthritis disease and it has been found a higher significant increase in IL-2 level in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis disease than the control group [P < 0.001], also there was a significant increase in IL-I0 level in patients group in comparison with the control group [P < 0.01], during remission of the disease, IL-2 level was significantly reduced [P < 0.001], while IL-I0 level showed no significant difference from its level prior to remission. It can be assumed that the effector cells in this disease are THl and measures designed to switch the predominant immune response from THl to TH2 might be effective in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis