Depression is associated with low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D among Jordanian adults: results from a national population survey.

Although low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) have been associated with depression in clinical settings, this link in community-dwelling individuals is inconclusive. The present study aimed at examining the association between serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels and the presence of depression in a national population-based household sample of 4,002 Jordanian participants aged ≥25 years. The DASS21 depression scale was used to screen for depression, and serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and PTH were measured by radioimmunoassay. Multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the association between serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels and depression. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) decreased linearly with increasing quartiles of serum 25(OH)D (P(trend) = 0.00). The OR for having depression was significantly higher among individuals in the first and second quartiles (OR = 1.4, 1.23, respectively) than among those in the fourth quartile (P values = 0.00 and 0.03, respectively). This relationship remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, BMI, serum creatinine, number of chronic diseases (OR = 1.39 and 1.21 and P values = 0.00 and 0.05, respectively) and after further adjustment for exercise, altitude, and smoking (OR = 1.48 and 1.24, respectively, and P values = 0.00 and 0.03, respectively). No significant association was found between serum PTH levels and depression. The decrease in risk of depression among participants started to be significant with serum 25(OH) D levels higher than 42.3 ng/ml (lower limit of the range of the third quartile). This value may help pinpoint the desirable level of serum 25(OH)D to be attained to help aid the prevention and treatment of depression.

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control, and associated factors: results from a national survey, jordan.

The study examined prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension (HTN), and associated factors and to evaluate the trend in hypertension between 2009 (period 2) and 1994-1998 (period 1). A national sample of 4117 adults aged 25 years and older was selected. Prevalence rate of HTN (SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90 or on antihypertensive therapy) was 32.3% and was higher than the 29.4% prevalence rate reported in period 1. Prevalence rate was significantly higher among males, older age groups, least educated, obese, and diabetics than their counterparts. The rate of awareness among hypertensives was 56.1% and was higher than the 38.8% rate reported form period 1 data. Awareness was positively associated with age, smoking, and diabetes for both men and women, and with level of education and body mass index for men. Rate of treatment for HTN among aware patients was 63.3% and was significantly higher than the 52.8% rate reported in period1. Control rate of HTN among treated hypertensives was 39.6%; significantly higher than the 27.9% control rate in period 1. Control of HTN was positively associated with age but only for women. In conclusion, HTN is still on the rise in Jordan, and levels of awareness and control are below the optimal levels.

The transforming mutation E17K/AKT1 is not a major event in B-cell-derived lymphoid leukaemias.

Despite the major role of the AKT/PKB family of proteins in the regulation of many growth and survival mechanisms in the cell, and the increasing evidence suggesting that AKT disruption could play a key role in many human malignancies, no major mutations of AKT genes had been reported, until very recently when Carpten et al reported a novel transforming mutation (E17K) in the pleckstrin homology domain of the AKT1 gene in solid tumours. Several laboratories are now screening for this mutation in different malignancies, and, recently, the mutation was described by Malanga et al in 1.9% of lung cancer patients. Considering the importance of the PI3K/AKT pathway in mediating survival and antiapoptotic signals in the B-cell types of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), we sequenced the AKT1 exon 3 for the above mentioned mutation in 87 specimens, representing 45 CLLs, 38 ALLs and 4 prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL) cases, which are all of B-cell origin. Our results show that the mutation E17K/AKT1 was not detected in the pleckstrin homology domain of AKT1 of the investigated cases. We conclude that this mutation is not a major event in B-cell-derived lymphoid leukaemias.

Prevalence of abnormal thyroid function tests in connective tissue disease.

The prevalence of thyroid function tests' abnormalities in 170 patients with various connective tissue diseases (CTD) was examined and compared to a group of 100 age- and sex-matched controls. The overall prevalence of diagnosed thyroid disease was 3.5%. Categorizing the patients into 5 "functional groups" by the concurrent thyroid function test/results showed normal thyroid function tests in 14%, isolated elevated TSH levels with normal T4 and T3 levels in 4% and findings consistent with the laboratory diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism in 3%. The "euthyroid sick syndrome" was evidenced in 54% and elevated T4 levels and/or increased or normal T3 values with normal TSH in 25%. Antimicrosomal antibodies were noted in 12 patients (7%), with the highest incidence in systemic lupus erythromatosus patients (10%). patients with mixed connective tissue disease had significantly (p < 0.0005) higher frequency of hypothyroidism, whereas patients with systemic vasculities had higher frequency of hyperthyroxinemia. In conclusion, CTD patients frequently have abnormal results of one or more of thyroid function tests. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism should be considered when evaluating symptoms and signs in CTD and a significant subset of CTD patients appears to be predisposed to the development of hyperthyroidism.

Comparison of antibody titres to streptococcal extracellular antigens.

Antibody titres were measured against extracellular products of group A beta haemolytic streptococci. Comparison of the titres obtained with antistreptolysin O (ASO), streptozyme, antideoxyribonuclease-B (ADN-B), antinicotinamide adenine dinucleotidase (ANAD), antihyaluronidase (ASH), and antistreptokinase (ASK), in 412 human serum specimens with different categories were tested. The results obtained were as follows: the streptozyme test was in good correlation with ASO, and can detect more specimens with elevated antibody titres than any other single test, but was not as good as the combination of any other tests like ASO and ADN-B. For determination of streptococcal infection, it is necessary to test for more than one antibody. Streptozyme test is valuable screening in combination with ASO, for those laboratories depending on ASO alone.

Burkitt's lymphoma in Jordanian children: epidemiological and clinical study.

Twenty-four children with a diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma were seen at Jordan University Hospital during a 6 year period (1978-1983). Their median age was 4 years and the male to female ratio was 3:1. A space clustering of cases was evident. Abdominal mass was the commonest presentation being observed in 21 patients, while only two patients presented with jaw masses. Sixteen patients had advanced disease (stages C and D). Chemotherapy was the basic form of therapy given. Twelve children (50%) survived. Advanced stage and poor nutritional status at diagnosis correlated with poor outcome. Our data indicate that Burkitt's lymphoma in Jordanian children presents an intermediate type that shares some similarities with both the endemic (African) and non-endemic types.

HLA antigens, blood groups and immunoglobulin levels in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thirty-three patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were tested for HLA-A, B and C antigens, platelet antibodies, immunoglobulin levels and ABO blood groups. With one exception, ITP proved not to be significantly associated with the HLA antigens studied; an increased frequency of HLA-A28 was found in chronic ITP patients (50 vs. 18.7% in the control population). An increased incidence of blood group A was found in ITP patients (64 vs. 37.98% in the control population), especially in those with acute ITP (84.7%). A significant reduction of IgG levels was noted in patients with chronic ITP, while below-normal levels of IgA were found in both chronic and acute ITP patients. There was no difference in levels of IgM. Circulating platelet isoantibodies were demonstrated in 67.6% of the ITP patients. No correlation was demonstrated between the presence of platelet antibodies, immunoglobulin levels of HLA antigens.