Serum Leptin Receptor and the rs1137101 Variant of the LEPR Gene Are Associated with Bladder Cancer.

Globally, bladder cancer (BC) is one of the ten most common tumors. Obesity is a worldwide problem associated with an increased BC risk. Considering that levels of leptin and/or its receptor are often deregulated in obese individuals, we hypothesized that they could contribute to BC. To test this hypothesis, we utilized a case-control study in which 116 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BC and 116 controls were recruited. The serum levels of leptin and leptin receptor were measured. Patients and controls were also genotyped for SNPs in the LEP (rs7799039, rs791620, and rs2167270) and LEPR genes (rs1137100, rs1137101, and rs1805094). The univariate analysis indicated that BC patients had significantly higher levels of leptin and lower levels of leptin receptor (p < 0.05). Moreover, rs7799039 of LEP and rs1137101 of LEPR were associated with BC (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, leptin receptor levels were protective (OR: 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99, p = 0.002) while the GG genotype of rs1137101 of LEPR increased BC risk (OR: 3.42, 95% CI = 1.27-9.20, p = 0.02). These findings highlight that lifestyle changes could be useful in preventing BC and that disturbances in energy metabolism could play a role in the pathobiology of BC.

Modification of ischemia/reperfusion induced infarct size by ischemic preconditioning in hypertrophied hearts.

This study examined the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP) on the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced injury in normal and hypertrophied hearts. Cardiac hypertrophy in rabbits was induced by L-thyroxine (0.5 mg/kg/day for 16 days). Hearts with or without IP (3 cycles of 5 min ischemia and 10 min reperfusion) were subjected to I/R (60 min ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion). IP reduced the I/R-induced infarct size from 68% to 24% and 57% to 33% in the normal and hypertrophied hearts, respectively. Leakage of creatine phosphokinase in the perfusate from the hypertrophied hearts due to I/R was markedly less than that form the normal hearts; IP prevented these changes. Although IP augmented the increase in phosphorylated p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) content due to I/R, this effect was less in the hypertrophied than in the normal heart. These results suggest that reduced cardioprotection by IP of the I/R-induced injury in hypertrophied hearts may be due to reduced activation of p38-MAPK in comparison with normal hearts.

Attitude of Jordanian Physicians toward Biochemistry and Genetics.

BACKGROUND: Several studies found that physicians develop a negative attitude toward biochemistry and genetics disciplines. Many medical schools adopt an integrated system-based curriculum supplemented with clinical correlations. Medical schools in Jordan switched to the integrated curriculum; however, studies that evaluate the attitude of physicians toward biochemistry and genetics are lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the attitude of physicians toward biochemistry and genetics including the correlation of their curricula with clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire consisting of 40 statements was distributed to a random sample of 616 physicians practicing in private and governmental hospitals in Jordan. Participants earned their MD or MBBS degree from Jordan or other countries and were interns, residents, or specialists. RESULTS: More than half of the participants admitted that biochemistry and genetics are intellectually challenging and were among their least favourite subjects (59.1%); however, many of them were familiar with some of the contemporary advances in biochemistry and genetics and their translational potential (64.0%). Most of the participants felt that modifying the medical school curriculum by integrating biochemical and genetic concepts with clinical teaching will motivate the medical students (74%). In univariate analysis, residents showed the most positive attitudes and were the most knowledgeable about the biochemical changes associated with diseases and about the contemporary advances in biochemistry or genetics (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, physicians practicing in the private sector or those with more than five years of experience generally had a more positive attitude toward biochemistry and genetics (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Physicians in Jordan showed an overall positive attitude toward biochemistry and genetics. This was more evident among residents, physicians with more than five years of experience, or those practicing in the private sector.

Serum homocysteine is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome in Jordan.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrinopathy among women of a reproductive age. Although not included in the diagnostic criteria, insulin resistance (IR) is a major characteristic of PCOS and may contribute to its development. The exact cause of IR remains unknown but appears to be multifactorial. Changes in the levels of leptin, adiponectin, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and/or homocysteine have been reported in women with PCOS. However, the relative contribution of the aforementioned metabolites to PCOS has not been tested in Jordan. In the present study, 154 women diagnosed with PCOS and 151 normally menstruating women matched by age and body mass index (BMI) were recruited. The levels of leptin, adiponectin, BCAAs, homocysteine and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) were measured in the serum of the recruited participants. It was revealed that homocysteine levels were significantly elevated in women with PCOS compared with normally menstruating women (P<0.0001), while 5-MTHF (P=0.024), leptin (P=0.027) and adiponectin (P=0.010) levels were significantly lower. In multivariate analysis, serum homocysteine had the strongest association with PCOS and significantly increased its risk [P<0.0001; odds ratio 1.217; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.157-1.280]. With an area under the curve of 0.855 (95% CI 0.811-0.898) in receiver operating characteristic analysis, serum homocysteine was determined to be a good predictor for PCOS diagnosis based on Rotterdam guidelines. It was concluded that serum levels of homocysteine are elevated in women with PCOS in Jordan independent of age, BMI, or leptin, adiponectin and BCAAs levels.

Haptoglobin polymorphism in relation to antioxidative enzymes activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidative capacity are common findings in diabetics. This study reports on the status of antioxidative enzymes in relation to haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphism in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The study comprised 165 type 2 diabetic patients and 94 controls. Erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), and plasmatic ceruloplasmin ferroxidase (Cp) were measured by spectrophotometry and Hp phenotypes were determined by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Irrespective of Hp phenotype, while the activities of Cp ferroxidase and GPx were significantly higher in patients than in controls, those of SOD were significantly lower. No significant differences observed for CAT. However, significant Hp-phenotype dependent differences were observed between patients and controls regarding the activity of these enzymes. While ferroxidase activity in Hp2-2 patients was significantly higher than that in Hp1-1 or Hp2-1 patients, that of SOD and GPx were significantly lower. When patients were analyzed as a single group, Spearman's univariate analysis has demonstrated that HbA1c positively correlates with ferroxidase activity and negatively correlates with levels of GPx and SOD. However, when patients were treated as separate Hp-dependent groups, similar but stronger correlations between these variable were noted only in the case of Hp2-2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Hp polymorphism has some bearing on the activity of antioxidative enzymes in type 2 diabetes and that Hp2-2 diabetics are under increased oxidative stress as compared with those expressing Hp1-1 or Hp2-1.

Serological screening for celiac disease in schoolchildren in Jordan. Is height and weight affected when seropositive?

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) emerged as a public health problem, and the disease prevalence varies among different races. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of CD using serological markers in apparently healthy schoolchildren in Irbid City, Jordan. Additionally, the effect of positive serology on height, weight and body mass index (BMI) was evaluated. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1985 children (1117 girls and 868 boys), age range was 5.5 to 9.5 years. Height and weight were measured and blood samples were collected from each individual. Serum samples were analyzed for IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). tTG positive samples were further analyzed for IgA anti-endomysium antibodies (EmA) with a commercial ELISA. Samples confirmed positive with EmA were considered seropositive. RESULTS: Sixteen children were CD positive. The serological prevalence was estimated to be 1:124 (0.8%; 95% CI, 0.5% to 1.3%). Significant impact on growth (height) was found in seropositive children. When both sexes were individually analyzed, only boys showed height reduction. Furthermore, seropositive boys also had a significant weight reduction. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that CD is prevalent among schoolchildren in Jordan. The seropositive children tend to have lower height, weight, and BMI than the seronegative group. These differences were significant only for boys. None of the participants is known to have CD prior to the study.

Significance of the parkin and PINK1 gene in Jordanian families with incidences of young-onset and juvenile parkinsonism.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, where most cases are sporadic with a late onset. In rare incidences familial forms of early-onset parkinsonism occur, and when recessively inherited, cases are often explained by mutations in either the parkin (PARK2) or PINK1 (PARK6) gene or on exceptional occasions the DJ-1 (PARK7) or ATP13A2 (PARK9) gene. Recessively inherited deletions/duplications and point mutations in the parkin gene are the most common cause of early-onset parkinsonism known so far, but in an increasing number of studies, genetic variations in the serine/threonine kinase domain of the PINK1 gene are found to explain early-onset parkinsonism. METHODS: In this study all families were from a population with a high incidence of consanguinity. We investigated 11 consanguineous families comprising 17 affected with recessively inherited young-onset parkinsonism for mutations both in the parkin and PINK1 gene. Exons and flanking regions were sequenced, and segregation patterns of genetic variation were assessed in members of the respective families. An exon dosage analysis was performed for all exons in both genes. RESULTS: In the parkin gene, a three generation family was identified with an exon 4 deletion segregating with disease. Both affected were homozygous for the deletion that segregated on a haplotype that spanned the gene in a haplotype segregation analysis that was performed using additional markers. Exon dosage analysis confirmed the recessive pattern of inheritance with heterozygous deletions segregating in healthy family members. In the PINK1 gene we identified two novel putative pathogenic substitutions, P416R and S419P, located in a conserved motif of the serine/threonine kinase domain. Both substitutions segregated with disease in agreement with a recessive pattern of inheritance within respective families and both were present as homozygous in two affected each. We also discuss common polymorphisms in the two genes found to be co-segregating within families. CONCLUSION: Our results further extend on the involvement of PINK1 mutations in recessive early-onset parkinsonism with clinical features similar to carriers of parkin mutations.

Antioxidant vitamins and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in full-term neonates.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanism by which glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency causes neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is not completely understood. However, the genetic disorder G6PD deficiency predisposes red blood cells to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between plasma antioxidant vitamin (E and C) levels and the development of hyperbilirubinemia in full-term neonates with deficient G6PD. METHODS: A total of 196 live birth neonates of healthy mothers were included in this study. Twelve of them were deficient in G6PD. In addition to demographic data, serum total bilirubin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and vitamin E and C levels were measured on the first day after birth. RESULTS: Neonates with G6PD deficiency (n=7) who did not develop hyperbilirubinemia (mean serum bilirubin level of 70.8+/-23 micromol/l, median 71.8) and neonates with G6PD deficiency (n=4) who developed hyperbilirubinemia (mean serum bilirubin level of 226.7+/-79 micromol/l, median 233.4) on the first day of life had similar gestational weights and age. The second group, however, had lower hemoglobin and hematocrit as well as plasma vitamin C and E levels. None of these results showed significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that red blood cell hemolysis as a result of inadequate antioxidants system in G6PD-deficient neonates is not the only contributing factor for hyperbilirubinemia.

Prevalence of factor V G1691A (Leiden) and prothrombin G20210A polymorphisms among apparently healthy Jordanians.

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A are related genetic risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Analysis for both mutations is increasingly being performed on patients exhibiting hypercoagulability. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin-G20210A (PT-G20210A) polymorphisms and their coexistence among apparently healthy Jordanians. One thousand apparently healthy individuals from representative regions of Jordan with no previous history of VTE participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 28.5+/-6.4 years (age range 18-45 years). Two hundred and eighteen subjects were APC resistant with an APC-R mean of 85.52+/-15.35 seconds; the non-resistant subjects had an APC-R mean of 159.90+/-26.96 seconds. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the simultaneous detection of FVL and prothrombin G20210A was used to analyze the 218 DNA samples that were APC-R resistant. Both mutations generate HindIII RFLPs and the prothrombin amplicon contains an invariant HindIII recognition sites. The multiplex PCR-RFLP of Factor V for those 218-samples was: 41 wild-type, 169 heterozygous mutant, and eight homozygous mutant individuals. For prothrombin G20210A, the multiplex PCR-RFLP identified 215 wild-type and three heterozygous mutant individuals. Factor V positive individuals (n=50) had a mean F-V activity of 78.04%+/-25.81. F-V activity among wild type (n=41), F-V Leiden heterozygous (n=169) and F-V Leiden homozygous (n=8) were 92.93%+/-16.17, 87.02%+/-15.21 and 96.14%+/-12.32, respectively. Factor II positive subjects (n=47) had a mean factor II activity of 127.96%+/-21.37. F-II activity among carriers (heterozygous, n=3) and non-carriers (normal, n=215) of PT-G20210A mutation were 107.67%+/-9.29 and 105.00%+/-17.79, respectively. The prevalence of FVL was 21.8% and there is a little likelihood of the co-inheritance of the FVL and PT-G20210A among healthy young adults, since only few cases were found to be carriers for the two alleles.

Effects of Ballota nigra on blood biochemical parameters and insulin in albino rats.

Ingestion of aqueous 70% ethanol extract of Ballota nigra (400 mg/kg body weight for 7 days) by albino rats (n=10) was investigated to study its effects on glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), troponin I (TnI), serum creatine kinase (CK), total protein, total bilirubin and blood urea. Ballota nigra extract caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and CK levels. Blood levels of TnI, AST, ALT, triglycerides, total bilirubin, total protein and blood urea were unchanged. The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was further investigated by conducting a glucose tolerance test intraperitoneally (IPGTT). Healthy rats that were fasting for 18 hours followed by administration of a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract of Ballota nigra, orally. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels (after 15, 30, and 45 minutes) with a significant increase in serum insulin level (after 15 and 30 minute) was noted. These results suggest that, the crude extract of Ballota nigra have hypoglycemic, insulin-releasing and cholesterol lowering effects in rats.

Effects of Ballota nigra on glucose and insulin in alloxan-diabetic albino rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was investigated. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose. Administration of aqueous extract of B. nigra extract significantly reduced glucose in both healthy and diabetic rats. These results suggest that B. nigra possess hypoglycemic effects in rats and therefore, can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Adverse effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on reproductive function in adult male rats.

Ingestion of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) by two groups of adult Sprague-Dawley rats at levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg body wt for 63 days was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were not affected, but the average weights of epididymides, ventral prostates, seminal vesicles, and preputial glands decreased significantly. A significant decline in spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in treatment group 2 (500 mg/kg) is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone. Sperm motility and density were also significantly decreased in the cauda epididymis and in the testes of rosemary-treated male rats in group 2. In addition, the treatment markedly increased the number of fetal resorptions in female rats impregnated by group 2 males, thereby reducing their fertility.

Adverse effects of propranolol on reproductive function in adult male mice.

Ingestion of propranolol at 10 and 15 mg kg(-1) body weight for 35 days by adult male mice was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were reduced and the average weights of epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle decreased significantly. A significant decline of spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in the treatment group 2 (15 mg kg(-1)) is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone, LH and FSH. Sperm motility and density were also significantly decreased in the cauda epididymis and in the testes of group 2 treated male mice. In addition, the treatment markedly increased the number of fetal resorptions in female mice impregnated by the group 2 males, thereby reducing their fertility.

Antioxidant vitamins and hyperbilirubinemia in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Low antioxidant system may contribute to the severity of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The aim of this research was to explore the relationship between plasma vitamin E and C levels and the severity of hyperbilirubinemia in full-term neonates with normal glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities. METHODS: A total of 130 full-term healthy live birth neonates of healthy mothers with normal G6PD activity were included in this study. In addition to routine blood analysis, plasma total bilirubin, vitamin E and C levels and G6PD activity were measured on the first day of life. None of the neonates was ABO incompatible or anemic. RESULTS: Neonates who did not develop hyperbilirubinemia (n=119) had a mean plasma bilirubin level of 65+/-24 micromol/l (median 58.1), while neonates who developed significant hyperbilirubinemia (n=11) had a mean plasma bilirubin level of 238+/-56 micromol/l (median 246.2) on the first day of life. Mean plasma vitamin C levels of neonates who developed hyperbilirubinemia were significantly lower than those who did not develop hyperbilirubinemia (87+/-22 micromol/l (median 89.4) vs. 132+/-36 micromol/l (median 127.7), respectively, P=0.0001). Similar results were observed for plasma vitamin E levels in neonates who did or did not develop hyperbilirubinemia (7.5+/-2 micromol/l (median 6.3) vs. 10.4+/-5 micromol/l (median 9.1), respectively, P=0.001). Hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly lower in neonates who developed hyperbilirubinemia (P=0.0002 and P=0.0003, respectively), although gestational age and birth weight for the two groups showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results of the present work indicate that low level of plasma vitamins C and E are associated with significant hyperbilirubinemia in full-term neonates.

Relationship between alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient genotypes S and Z and lung cancer in Jordanian lung cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) is a secretory glycoprotein produced mainly in the liver and monocytes. It is the most abundant serine protease inhibitor in human plasma. It predominantly inhibits neutrophil elastase thus, it prevents the breakdown of lung tissue. The deficiency of alpha1-AT is an inherited disorder characterized by reduced serum level of alpha1-AT. Protease inhibitors Z (PiZ) and protease inhibitors S (PiS) are the most common deficient genotypes of alpha1-AT. The aim of this study is to test the relationship between alpha1-AT deficient genotypes S and Z and lung cancer in Jordanian lung cancer patients. METHODS: We obtained the samples used in this study from 100 paraffin embedded tissue blocks of the lung cancer patients from Prince Iman Research Center and Laboratory Sciences at King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan. Analyses of the Z and S genotypes of alpha1-AT were performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques at Jordan University of Science and Technology during 2003 and 2004. RESULTS: We demonstrated that all lung cancer patients were of M genotype, and no Z or S genotypes were detected. CONCLUSION: There is no relationship between alpha1-AT deficient genotypes S and Z and lung cancer in patients involved in this study.

Precocious puberty with congenital hypothyroidism.

Precocious puberty associated with profound hypothyroidism is a rare condition. It is usually characterized by breast development, vaginal bleeding, lack of pubic hair and delayed bone age. Multicystic ovaries in profound hypothyroid patients with precocious puberty have been rarely described. Vaginal bleeding in adolescent girls should be considered as a clinical significance particularly when it is prolonged or heavy, whereas vaginal bleeding in younger girls, regardless of its duration and quantity is always of clinical importance. Bleeding in such patients could be caused by local causes such as vulvar or vaginal lesions, or it could be from the endometrium, which is usually a sign of systemic hormonal disturbance [1]. In this report a rare case of vaginal bleeding, large, multicystic ovaries, precocious puberty and delayed bone age in a 7 years old girl with profound hypothyroidism is described.

Effect of cholesterol diet on reproductive function in male albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of cholesterol diet (400 mg/kg body weight) for 60 days on gonadal function in albino rats. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Animal House Unit at Jordan University of Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan between October 2003 and February 2004. Adult male and female albino rats of Sprague Dawley strain were raised under controlled temperature and light. Male rats were divided into: a) control group--rats receiving vehicle (olive oil) for 60 days and treatment group--rats receiving cholesterol diet for a reproductive cycle. Animals were weighed and autopsied 24 hours after the last dose. Biochemical and histological approaches were used to assess fertility in both groups. RESULTS: The treatment caused significant reduction (p < or = 0.001) in sperm motility and density in cauda epididymides and testes. A significant reduction (p < or = 0.001) in epithelial cell height of caput, cauda and seminal vesicle was also observed. In the treated group, there was a significant reduction (p<0.001) in seminiferous tubules diameter and Leydig cell nuclear diameter. Spermatocytes (primary and secondary) were significantly decreased (p < or = 0.01) and spermatids were significantly reduced (p < or = 0.001) in the treatment group. Whereas, the number of degenerating Leydig cells (interstitial cells) increased significantly (p < or = 0.001). Serum biochemistry reveals significant increase (p<0.001) in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The intragastric administration of cholesterol diet to male rats for 60 days significantly reduced the number of females impregnated by these males. However, the number of implantations and number of viable fetuses were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in female rats impregnated by males that ingested cholesterol. On the other hand, the number of resorptions was significantly (p<0.01) increased in females impregnated by males that ingested cholesterol. The histometry and histology of reproductive organs confirm these results. CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidemia can cause alteration in the biochemistry and histometry of reproductive organs and can cause inhibition of spermatogenesis via the Leydig cell.

Thyroid dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: The study was conducted at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan, between March 2000 and September 2000. A group of 908 type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) were recruited in the study and underwent investigations for thyroid functions; free thyroxine (FT4), free tri-iodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Six hundred had performed thyroid autoantibodies, thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) or antimicrosomal antibodies (AMA) and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tgab). They were compared with 304 non-diabetics, of those 282 had performed thyroid antibodies. RESULTS: Fifty-three (5.9%) of diabetic patients were known to have thyroid disease. As a direct result of screening, new thyroid disease cases were diagnosed in 6.6% of the patients. Thus, the overall prevalence of thyroid disease was found to be 12.5%. The most common was subclinical hypothyroidism (4.1%). In the control group, the prevalence of thyroid disease was 6.6%. The most common was subclinical hypothyroidism (5%). There was a significant difference between diabetics and control subjects p=0.0064. Positive TPOab was found in 8.3% of T2DM patients (N=600) versus 10.3% in the control group (N=282) p=0.412. Positivity for both TPOab and Tgab was found to be 2.5% of T2DM versus 6% of the control subjects p=0.0155. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that diabetic patients should be screened for asymptomatic thyroid dysfunction.

Phenotypic diversity and revision of the nomenclature for autosomal recessive amelogenesis imperfecta.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the phenotype in 9 families with autosomal recessive amelogenesis imperfecta (ARAI), and to propose a classification system allowing inclusion and delineation of diverse ARAI phenotypes. STUDY DESIGN: Nine families with ARAI were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Exfoliated and extracted teeth were examined via light and scanning electron microscopy, with the enamel in one case evaluated by amino acid analysis. RESULTS: The 9 families demonstrated diverse ARAI phenotypes including localized hypoplastic, generalized thin hypoplastic, hypocalcified and hypomaturation AI types. CONCLUSIONS: Some ARAI phenotypes observed in this study and reported in the literature cannot be classified using currently accepted ARAI nomenclature. Therefore, we propose a revised nomenclature permitting both classification of all ARAI clinical forms and inclusion of anticipated molecular-based nomenclature, such as now exists for some X-linked and autosomal dominant AI subtypes.

Metallothionein expression in human prostate gland.

OBJECTIVE: This study is conducted to detect metallothionein (MT) distribution in the epithelial cells of prostate gland from patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Prostatic tissues from patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and adenocarcinoma were processed for immunocytochemistry using indirect peroxidase antiperoxidase procedure and primary antibody against MT. The samples were collected over a period of 2-3 years and were processed at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan in the year 2002. RESULTS: All prostatic tissues showed a positive reaction for MT. In benign prostatic hypertrophy, MT was mainly localized in the nuclei of epithelial cells while in the adenocarcinoma; MT was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Metallothionein expression may be affected by the pathological status of the prostate. In addition, these findings could be used in diagnosing and evaluating the prognosis of different pathological conditions of the prostate.