Vascular calcification in dialysis patients.

UNLABELLED: The risk factors for vascular calcification (VC) in dialysis patients include duration of dialysis, diabetes mellitus, aging, hyperphosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism, and calcium or vitamin D supplementation. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for VC in our dialysis population. METHODS: One hundred twenty-nine chronic dialysis patients underwent plain x-rays of the hands for VC. Patients were grouped as either positive (PVC) or negative (NVC) for VC. Age, gender, duration of dialysis, presence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), oral calcium, and 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 supplement, serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), calcium phosphorus product (CaxP), alkaline phosphates (ALP) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (26.35%) showed VC. There were no differences between PVC and NVC patients for duration of dialysis (38.4 +/- 27.7 for PVC and 34.6 +/- 31.2 months for NVC, P = .80), levels of serum Ca (P = .26), P (P = .19), CaxP (P = .33), ALP (P = .89), or iPTH (P = .24). Similarly, oral calcium and 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 intake were not different between the two groups (P = .971 and P = .3710 respectively). Compared to NVC patients, PVC patients were older (56.3 +/- 10.4 versus 47.5 +/- 16.1 years, P = .008) and had a greater incidence of NIDDM (17/34 PVC and diabetic versus 20/95 NVC, P = .001). In conclusion, for patients with a medium length of dialysis, the duration of dialysis as well as the doses of calcium salts and of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 were not significantly associated with vascular calcifications, but it was not possible to exclude a role for these and other factors in patients with longer dialysis.

Pitfalls in the surgical management of cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx.

This article is based on findings in 180 patients with cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx. Positive margins were found in 12.2% (22/180) of all tumors, 12.5% (8/64) of supraglottic tumors, 16% (4/25) of transglottic tumors, 5.3% (2/38) of glottic tumors, 11.1% (2/18) of pyriform fossa tumors, 50% (3/6) of posterior pharyngeal wall tumors, and 10.6% (3/29) of postcricoid tumors. The relationship between the inadequate surgical margins of the specimens, tumor spread, preoperative CT findings, and surgical procedures performed have been correlated.

Effect of ivermectin on combined intestinal protozoal infection (giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis).

Ivermectin, a broad spectrum antiparasitic agent has become a promising drug for treating parasitic infection and infestation. This study was carried out to investigate its activity against two common protozoal infection, giardiasis and cryptsporidiosis in a rat model. The results of this study showed that ivermectin therapy is effective against both parasites at a dose of 200 micrograms/kg.

Carcinogenic effect of gibberellin A3 in Swiss albino mice.

Gibberellin A3 is a plant growth regulator used in many countries, including Egypt, to increase the growth of fruits and vegetables. The carcinogenic effect of gibberellin A3 was investigated in this study with Swiss albino mice. Administration of gibberellin A3 by gavage for 22 months induced a significant increase in their body weights. Tumors were induced in 18% of the males and 36% of the females and were located in the skin of the axillary region (sebaceous adenomas), breast (adenocarcinomas), and lung (adenocarcinomas and secondary metastatic deposits from breast tumors). Bronchocentric granulomas were induced in animals exposed to gibberellin A3 for 14 months. These results indicate that gibberellin A3 was carcinogenic in mice.

The purification, characterization and regulatory properties of liver phosphofructokinase in the Arabian one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

1. Phosphofructokinase from camel liver was purified to homogeneity more than 3600-fold, and the yield of the preparation was 46%. 2. The sodium dodecyl sulphate-treated purified enzyme migrated as a single band in 10% polyacrylamide gel. 3. The enzyme is a tetramer, with a monomer Mr 90,000. 4. The regulatory properties of the purified enzyme from camel liver were studied at pH 7.0. 5. The enzyme displayed cooperativity with respect to fructose 6-phosphate and was inhibited by high concentrations of ATP. 6. The enzyme was also inhibited by citrate, phosphocreatine and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate. 7. On the other hand, ADP, AMP, glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate were all found to be strong activators for camel liver phosphofructokinase.

Poisonous plants contaminating edible ones and toxic substances in plant foods. Part 3. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Heliotropium digynum Forssk. (= H. luteum, Poir.).

Investigation of the alkaloidal constituents of Heliotropium digynum resulted in the isolation of four alkaloids viz. heliotrine, europine, lasiocarpine and 7-angelylheliotrine. Moreover, HPLC and GLC showed the probable presence of heliotridine and some other unidentified minor constituents. A summary of the pharmacotoxicity and biological activity of the ethanolic extract, total alkaloids with special reference to heliotrine is presented.

Sex steroids in bilharzial liver affection. 1. estrogens.

The serum levels of estrone, estradiol and estriol in males with various stages of bilharzial liver disease were determined using a radioimmunoassay method. The study included thirty male patients with bilharzial liver disease representing the three stages of hepato-splenomegaly, shrunken liver and ascites. Twenty healthy males were taken as controls. Serum estrone and estriol levels were significantly higher, serum estradiol showed either mild decrease or insignificant change in the bilharzial group as compared to the normals.

Endocrine studies of azoospermia. I. Serum steroid levels in Sertoli cell only syndrome.

Estrone, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone levels were determined in sera of 20 fertile men and 15 male patients with Sertoli cell only syndrome. In men with Sertoli cel only syndrome there was a significant decrease in serum estrone, estradiol, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and dihydrotestosterone and a significant increase in serum estriol and testosterone. Changes in endocrine profile discussed in relation to the possible role of inhibin.

Endocrine studies of azoospermia. II. Serum steroid levels in obstructive azoospermia.

Serum estrone, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and testosterone were determined in the sera of 25 normal males and 25 patients with obstructive azoospermia. An increase in testosterone and estriol levels, and a decrease in other hormones were demonstrated in patients with obstructive azoospermia. These long-term effects of obstruction of the vas apparently also occur in comparable situations, for example, after vasectomy.