Serum uric acid and its association with hypertension, early nephropathy and chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetic patients / Ácido úrico sérico e sua associação com hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e doença renal crônica em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2

Abstract Introduction: Early detection diabetic nephropathy (DN) is important. Whether serum uric acid (SUA) has a role in the development of DN is not known. Objective: To study the relationship between SUA and hypertension, early nephropathy and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The total number of the study was 986 participants, according to presence and duration of diabetes were classified into three groups. Group I; including 250 healthy participants. Group II; including 352 with onset of diabetes < 5 years. Group III; including 384, with the onset of diabetes > 5 years. All participants were submitted to complete clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigations, including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), as well triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein ratios (TG/HDL-C), SUA, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: SUA, BP, HbA1c, TG/HDL-C ratio, and ACR levels were significantly higher in group III than group I, II and in II than I. eGFR significantly lower in group III than group I, II and in II than I (p < 0.001). Age, BMI, BP, HbA1c, TG/HDL-C, ACR, were positively correlated with SUA, while GFR negatively correlated. SUA at level of > 6.1 mg/dl, > 6.2 mg/dl and > 6.5 mg/dl had a greater sensitivity and specificity for identifying hypertension, early nephropathy and decline eGFR respectively. Conclusion: Even high normal SUA level, was associated with the risk of hypertension, early nephropathy and decline of eGFR. Moreover SUA level may identify the onset of hypertension, early nephropathy and progression of CKD in T2DM.

Resumo Introdução: A detecção precoce da nefropatia diabética (ND) é importante. O ácido úrico sérico (AUS) tem um papel ainda desconhecido no desenvolvimento de ND. Objetivo: Estudar a relação entre AUS e hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e progressão da doença renal crônica (DRC) no diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Métodos: O estudo contou com 986 participantes, de acordo com a presença e a duração do diabetes, os pacientes foram classificados em três grupos. O Grupo I incluiu 250 participantes saudáveis. O Grupo II incluiu 352 pacientes com início de diabetes < 5 anos. O Grupo III incluiu 384 pacientes com o aparecimento de diabetes > 5 anos. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a exame clínico completo, medidas antropométricas, exames laboratoriais - incluindo hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1C), bem como a razão entre triglicérides e lipoproteína de alta densidade (TG/HDL-C), AUS, razão creatinina/albumina (RCA) urinária, e taxa estimada de filtração glomerular (eTFG). Resultados: A razão AUS, PA, HbA1c, TG/HDL-C e RCA foi significativamente maior no grupo III do que no grupo I, II e em II do que I. A eTFG foi significativamente menor no grupo III do que nos grupos I, II e no II do que no I (p < 0,001). Idade, IMC, PA, HbA1c, razão TG/HDL-C, RCA, foram positivamente correlacionados com AUS, enquanto que a TFG esteve negativamente correlacionada. O AUS a níveis > 6,1 mg/dl, > 6,2 mg/dl e > 6,5 mg/dl apresentou maior sensibilidade e especificidade para identificar hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e declínio da eTFG, respectivamente. Conclusão: Mesmo elevados níveis de AUS, foi associado ao risco de hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e declínio da eTFG. Além disso, o nível de AUS pode identificar o início da hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e progressão da DRC em DM2.

Listeria spp. and Enterobacteriaceae Group in Sandwiches of Meat and Meat Products.

Aims: To evaluate the Egyptian street-vended sandwiches of meat and meat products for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Enterobacteriaceae group. To evaluate the microbiological quality of street-vended sandwiches of meat and meat products sold in Cairo-Egypt. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Microbiology, National Research Center, Cairo, at during the period of January 2011 to September 2012. Methology: Seventy sandwiches of meat and meat products including ten samples each of burger, hawawshi, kofta, liver, luncheon, sausages and shawerma sandwiches were randomly collected from the street-vendors and food shops in Great-Cairo governorate. Samples were investigated for their loads of Enterobacteriaceae counts as well as the presence of L. monocytogenes. Enterobacteriaceae counts was done using the conventional International method (FDA), however isolation and identification of L. monocytogenes was carried out using three different microbiological examination methods including classic selective conventional media, chromogenic media, as well as rapid identification method “food-system kits”. 168 isolates of Listeria spp were identified following the biochemical identification tests (Bergey’s Manual) and confirmed using Hi Listeria identification kits and latex test kits. Results: Enterobacteriaceae group were detected in 51% of the examined samples with an average counts of 37x102 cfu/g. Listeria spp. were detected in range between 24% and 36%, depended on the method used, with numbers ranged from 16x102 to 23x102 cfu/g. All samples that were contaminated with Listeria spp. harboured L. monocytogenes. Listeria spp. was not detected in all the examined Hawawshi sandwiches with an exception of one positive sample detected using the chromogenic media. The obtained results indicated that 37 out 68 (54%) isolates, picked up from classic selective conventional media, and 62 out of 100 (62%) isolates from chromogenic medium were confirmed as L. monocytogenes indicating that chromogenic medium may be the superior for isolation of the pathogen from ready-to-eat sandwiches of meat and products. Conclusion: The obtained results indicated that these foods presented a source of infection to the consumer. Measures to control the quality of the raw material, environmental and hygienic conditions during preparation and serving should be taken. The chromogenic media was the most efficient for the isolation of the pathogen during this course of study.

Effect of flaxseed on reduction of diabetic complications in experimental rats

This work is aimed to study the effect of feeding flaxseed in management of Diabetes mellitus in experimental rat. About Thirty five male albino rats were used, experimental diabetes was induced. Rats were classified in groups as control, diabetic, diabetic received 5, 10 or 20% of flaxseed in the diet. After 6 weeks blood samples were collected also, the right femur was removed. Glucose concentration of diabetic rats treated with 5%, 10% or 20% flaxseed was significantly decreased. Upon adding flaxseed at 5, 10 or 20% ratios treatment in diabetic rats, kidney function mean values were normalized. ALT, AST, TC, TG, LDL-c and VLDL-c were increased in diabetic group; the level was decreased as rats received flaxseed. Bone mineral density and content in diabetic group were reduced and normalized after receiving flaxseed. So, diabetes has more pronounced effect on serum glucose, liver, and kidney functions lipids profile, and bone health and flaxseed has beneficial effect on the prevention of osteoporosis

Human cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin-G and immunoglobulin-M as serologic markers for human cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised children

Determination and estimation of levels of cytomegalovirus [immunoglobulin-G [IgG] and cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin-M [IgM]] in immunocompromised children suffering from leukemias and lymphomas will be of help in controlling the spread of infection of this virus among the community. One hundred and four children [74 immunocompromised patients and 30 control children] were enrolled in this study. Patients and control children were between 1-15 years old with a mean age of 8.6081 years [ +/- 3.9249 SD] and 7.5500 years [ +/- 3.3650 SD], respectively. All patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, complete blood picture, liver function tests and CMV markers [IgG and IgM] by ELISA technique. The results of this study concluded that immunocompromised children, especially those taking blood transfusion, are more liable to have CMV infection. The present study showed that, ELISA technique is highly sensitive method, easily to perform, reliable, not time consuming [takes only few hours] and simple in its interpretation