Cyclooxygenase-2 169C>G and 8473T>C gene polymorphisms and prostaglandin E2 level in breast cancer: a case-control study.

AIMS: Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) with the resulting prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is linked to increased risk of human breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to determine COX-2 169C>G and 8473T>C gene polymorphisms and PGE2 level at various stages of BC clarifying the role of COX-2 gene polymorphism and PGE2 in relation to BC. METHODS: The study population comprised 160 women at different stages of BC and 150 gender- and age-matched healthy control subjects. Plasma PGE2 was measured by ELISA, the COX-2 gene polymorphisms were determined using PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: The variant alleles COX-2 169G and 8473C were significantly associated with BC susceptibility [OR=3.1, 95% CI (2.2-4.4), P<0.001 for 169C>G and OR=1.74, 95%CI (1.3-2.4), P=0.005 for 8473C]. However, both COX-2 gene polymorphisms were not associated with breast cancer stage. Plasma PGE2 levels were significantly increased in patients compared to the controls. In early and late stages of BC, there was a significant increase in the plasma PGE2 levels towards the presence of homozygous GG compared with homozygous CC (P<0.001) for 169 C>G, also towards the presence of CC than TT (P<0.001) for 8473T>C SNP. CONCLUSION: The 169C>G and 8473T>C polymorphisms of the COX-2 gene were associated with the BC in Egyptian women. Furthermore, individuals with COX-2 169GG and 8473CC genotypes showed significant increase in plasma PGE2 levels. PGE2 levels may serve as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with BC.

On the use of low-cost computer peripherals for the assessment of motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease--quantification of bradykinesia using target tracking tasks.

The potential of computer games peripherals to measure the motor dysfunction in Parkinson's diseases is assessed. Of particular interest is the quantification of bradykinesia. Previous studies used modified or custom haptic interfaces, here an unmodified force feedback joystick and steering wheel are used with a laptop. During testing an on screen cursor moves in response to movements of the peripheral, the user has to track a continuously moving target (pursuit tracking), or move to a predetermined target (step tracking). All tasks use movement in the horizontal axis, allowing use of joystick or steering wheel. Two pursuit tracking tasks are evaluated, pseudo random movement, and a swept frequency task. Two step tracking tasks are evaluated, movement between two or between two of five fixed targets. Thirteen patients and five controls took part on a weekly basis. Patients were assessed for bradykinesia at each session using standard clinical measures. A range of quantitative measures was developed to allow comparison between and within patients and controls using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Both peripherals are capable of discriminating between controls and patients, and between patients with different levels of bradykinesia. Recommendations for test procedures and peripherals are given.

A novel computer-based technique for the assessment of tremor in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease and the diagnosis of its idiopathic form remains challenging. The diagnosis of idiopathic form is based on clinical features which can have poor sensitivity with about 25% of patients diagnosed as having the disease actually having other conditions. In this study we assess the suitability and clinical value of a low cost computer-based system as an aid to diagnosis of PD, in particular the presence of tremor. All participants (12 patients and 10 controls) performed a shape-tracing task using a graphic tablet attached to a laptop. To assess the presence of tremors in the collected data, a statistical spectral analysis of the moment-to-moment fluctuations in the position signal of the output from the digitising tablet was performed. This allowed the comparison of power spectrums obtained from the control and patient responses respectively. A peak in log power between the 5 Hz & 6 Hz can clearly be identified in the patient's spectrum and is indicative of Parkinson's related tremor and no similar peak could be seen in the control's spectrum, suggesting this type of sequential task and automated data analysis may be useful in the diagnosis of tremor.

Bovine viral diarrhoea, bovine herpesvirus and parainfluenza-3 virus infection in three cattle herds in Egypt in 2000.

This study reported field outbreaks of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection, either alone or mixed with bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) and/or parainfluenza-3 virus (PI-3V) in Egypt during 2000. In Lower Egypt, young calves in three cattle herds in El-Minufiya Province, El-Fayoum Province and in governmental quarantine in El-Behira Province, showed symptoms of enteritis, either alone or accompanied by respiratory manifestations. The affected herds were visited and the diseased animals were clinically examined. Many epidemiological aspects, such as morbidities, mortalities and case fatalities, as well as the abortive rate, were calculated. Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid-blood samples, sterile nasal swabs and serum samples were obtained for virological and serological diagnosis. The laboratory investigations revealed that the main cause of calf mortalities in the three herds was infection with BVDV, either alone, as on the El-Minufiya farm, or mixed with PI-3V, as on the El-Fayoum farm, or mixed with both BHV-1 and PI-3V, as in the herd in governmental quarantine in El-Behira Province. A total of nine dead calves from the three herds were submitted for thorough post-mortem examination. Tissue samples from recently dead calves were obtained for immunohistochemical and histopathological studies. The most prominent histopathological findings were massive degeneration, necrosis and erosions of the lining epithelium of the alimentary tract. Most of the lymphoreticular organs were depleted of lymphocytes. In pneumonic cases, bronchopneumonia and atypical interstitial pneumonia were evident. The present study suggested that the immunosuppressive effect of BVDV had predisposed the animals to secondary infection with BHV-1 and PI-3V. This study concluded that concurrent infection with BVDV, BHV-1 and PI-3V should be considered as one of the infectious causes of pneumoenteritis and, subsequently, the high morbidities and mortalities among young calves in Egypt. Preventive and control measures against these infectious agents should therefore be adopted. All animals imported into Egypt should be free from BVDV infection. Control programmes for the detection and removal of BVDV-persistent cattle should be applied in cattle herds all over the country.

Effect of dimethoate on the immune system of female mice.

The functional status of the immune system of female mice exposed to a single oral dose of dimethoate (16 mg/kg) was evaluated by assessing cell mediated and humoral immune responses, in addition to the effect of dimethoate on spleen and body weights after different time intervals. The data showed that dimethoate caused a time-depended decrease in spleen weights in the absence of a change in body weights. The immunologic effect of dimethoate to female mice produced a dose-dependent decrease in the number of the rosette forming cells (total and active erythrocyte rosette). The ability of splenocytes to proliferation in response to mitogens; phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for T cell and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for B cell were significantly decreased at the different times. As compared to control, a significant decrease in serum total immunoglobulins (Ig) and IgM was found, while IgG was non-significant deceased. Results of this study also revealed that dimethoate caused a significant decrease in the number of plaque forming cell (PFC/10(6) splenocytes) in a time dependent manner.

Post carotid endarterectomy seizure.

Post carotid endarterectomy seizure is a known clinical presentation in patients who suffer from hyperperfusion syndrome. This case focuses on the importance of identification of high risk patients for developing this syndrome and delaying their discharge from the hospital after successful carotid endarterectomy.

Post carotid endarterectomy seizure.

Post carotid endarterectomy seizure is a known clinical presentation in patients who suffer from hyperperfusion syndrome. This case focuses on the importance of identification of high risk patients for developing this syndrome and delaying their discharge from the hospital after successful carotid endarterectomy.

Effects of edifenphos and glyphosate on the immune response and protein biosynthesis of bolti fish (Tilapia nilotica).

The effects of 1/1000 field recommended concentration of the organophosphorus compounds; edifenphos and glyphosate on the immune response and protein contents were investigated after different time intervals. The cell mediated immune response assessed by proliferative response of splenocytes to mitogens; phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) for T cell and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for B cell decreased significantly in tems of the level of stimulation index in the treated fish and reached maximal depression after 4 weeks. Humoral immunity assessed as splenic antibody plaque forming cells (PFC) measured after 5 days in vitro immunization to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC's) were suppressed in a concentration dependent pattern by the two compounds. The estimated ED50 for the PFC/10(6) cells of edifenphos and glyphosate were 1.48 x 10(-2) uM and 1.65 x 10(-2) uM respectively. The data also showed that serum antibody titres in the treated fish were decreased in a time dependent manner. The total protein content of serum treated with the two pesticides was decreased after different time periods compared with control. The blood serum of treated and untreated Tilapia nilotica were analyzed electrophoretically for protein components and the percentage of proteins in each fraction was determined.

Pathogenicity of peste des petits ruminants virus isolated from Egyptian goats in Egypt.

2 Egyptian goats and Boscat rabbits were experimentally inoculated with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) local Egyptian strain (PPR, Egypt 87). The inoculated animals contracted the disease with minor clinical manifestations, accompanied by rise of neutralizing antibodies to PPR virus. Virus was isolated from ocular and nasal secretions, buffy coat, spleen, and liver. No contact infection was observed between inoculated and healthy goats.