Serum Level of Heat Shock Protein 70 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Basrah, Iraq.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with an increasing prevalence, caused by a defect in insulin production, insulin action, or both, and can increase the risk for the development of microvascular as well as macrovascular complications. Heat shock protein70 is considered a family of a larger group of proteins known as heat shock proteins, which their expression is induced when the cells are subjected to environmental stress. They are believed to keep the native folding of proteins in cells under stressful conditions and their therapeutic role. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the serum level of HSP70 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to assess if there is an association of HSP70 with T2DM and to evaluate the effect of age and duration of disease on the serum level of HSP70. Ninety-one patients with T2DM were recruited, and 85 individuals with the same age range and sex as healthy controls. Serum HSP70, fasting blood sugar, and HbA1c were measured. The results revealed that the level of HSP70 was significantly higher in the diabetic group compared to the control group (P value<0.05). The level of HSP70 showed a significant positive correlation with age and duration of disease as well as with fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. The study suggested that HSP70 may have the potential to be used as an indicator of metabolic derangement and a prognostic biomarker in diabetes.

Seasonal and annual variations in air concentrations of Pb, Cd and PAHs in Cairo, Egypt.

A study is presented concerning the degree and extent of air pollution by cadmium, lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric particulates of an urban area (El-Abasya) in Cairo, Egypt. The average yearly and seasonal concentrations are presented. The correlation coefficients between metals, and between metals and suspended PAHs are also reported. Statistical analysis showed seasonal and annual variations. Concentrations of PAHs, Pb and Cd were higher in winter than those measured at other times in the study area. The concentration of lead decreased by 40% from 3.36 microg(-3) in 1994 to 2.4 microg m(-3) in 1997 in consequence of the reduction of the Pb concentration in leaded gasoline fuel. The average cadmium concentrations showed significant decrease in 1997. The sum of the concentrations of PAHs was higher during the winter season 1997 (14.79 ng m(-3)) than in summer (7.53 ng m(-3)) and a highly significant difference was observed between the two seasons. In addition, the ratio of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] to Pb was higher in winter than in summer, suggesting the contribution of a non-vehicular source of lead. The levels of lead observed are higher than those recorded in various other parts of the world.

Indoor and outdoor formaldehyde concentrations in homes in residential areas in Greater Cairo.

Indoor and outdoor measurements of formaldehyde were conducted at seven flats located in residential areas in Greater Cairo, during spring and summer seasons 1999. The mean daytime formaldehyde concentrations in kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms were 89, 100 and 100 ppb, respectively, in the seven flats. Significant positive correlations were found between the concentrations of formaldehyde found in these three rooms. On the other hand, no significant differences were found between the mean formaldehyde concentrations in these three rooms. The maximum mean concentration of formaldehyde (147 ppb) was recorded in a new flat, while the minimum concentration (43 ppb) was observed in an old flat. The maximum hourly and daytime concentrations were 350 and 225 ppb, respectively. Air temperature, relative humidity and the age of the flat are factors affecting the emission and concentration of formaldehyde. The maximum indoor and outdoor formaldehyde concentrations were recorded during the summer season. During the spring, 38% of the samples indicated that the concentration of formaldehyde in the seven flats exceeded 0.1 ppm, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers' (ASHRAE) standard; in the summer, this figure increased to 53%.

Percentage of HbS among cases of sickle-cell trait in Basra, Iraq.

The proportion of sickle haemoglobin (HbS) was determined in 170 sickle-cell-trait individuals; 75 (44.1%) individuals had HbS% > 38%, 54 (31.8%) had HbS% between 31% and 38% and 41 (24.1%) had HbS% < 31%. There was positive correlation between HbS% and haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and target cell percentage. Multiple regression analysis indicated that measurement of haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and target cell percentage could be used to predict the HbS%.

Percentage of HbS among cases of sickle-cell trait in Basra, Iraq

The proportion of sickle haemoglobin [HbS] was determined in 170 sickle-cell-trait individuals; 75 [44.1%] individuals had HbS% > 38%, 54 [31.8%] had HbS% between 31% and 38% and 41 [24.1%] had HbS% < 31%. There was positive correlation between HbS% and haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and target cell percentage. Multiple regression analysis indicated that measurement of haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and target cell percentage could be used to predict the HbS%