TNF-α, TNF-β and IL-10 gene polymorphism and association with oral lichen planus risk in Saudi patients

Objectives Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disease. Cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of OLP. Various reports have implicated cytokine gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to develop some immune mediated conditions including OLP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β and interleukin (IL)-10 gene polymorphisms with the OLP risk. Material and Methods Forty two unrelated patients with OLP and 211 healthy volunteers were genotyped for TNF-α (-308 G/A), TNF-β (+252A/G), IL-10 (-1082G/A), IL-10 (-819C/T), and IL-10 (-592C/A) polymorphisms. Results The frequencies of allele A and genotype GA of TNF-α (-308G/A) were significantly higher while allele G and GG genotypes were lower in OLP patients as compared to the controls (P;0.05). However, haplotype ATA extracted from 1082G/A, -819C/T, -592C/A polymorphisms of IL-10 were more prevalent in OLP patients when compared to controls indicating its possible association with OLP susceptibility. Conclusion It is concluded that TNF-α (-308G/A), TNF-β (+252A/G) and IL-10 (-1082G/A, -819C/T and -592C/A) polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility of OLP, thus giving additional support for the genetic basis of this disease

Heavy Metals Accumulation in Two Types of Tree Leaves from Baghdad Urban Areas

It is well known that environmental pollution by many heavymetals is a serious problem to the natural ecosystem due to their toxiceffects. Most heavy metals such as Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn are needed byvarious organisms but at certain concentrations is very necessary forboth plants and animals. However, it has been suggested that ever greenplant trees can assist in controlling such pollution via various methodswhere one method is the ability of these plant trees to absorb heavymetals from contaminated soils. The current work was designed to assessCd, Mn and Pb plant content in two tree species (Eucalyptus sp. andAlbizia sp.) collected from Tourist Baghdad Island (TBI) situated in AlFh’hama region. It seems very obvious that these examined trees can beregarded as certain heavy metals eliminator where eucalyptus tree hasshown considerable ability in removing all examined heavy metals whichwere significantly higher than that of Albizia trees

Dental expenditure and catastrophic dental expenditure in Eastern Saudi Arabia : pattern and associated factors

Dental services have one of the highest expenses among health services. The aims of the study were to assess (1) dental expenditure (DE), (2) catastrophic dental expenditure (CDE), (3) dental services payment and (4) factors associated with DE and CDE. A cross sectional study was conducted in 2018 in Saudi Arabia. Using convenience sample, participants were recruited from governmental and private dental clinics/hospitals. A questionnaire assessed (a) personal information, (b) dental background: payment methods, type of clinics visited, perceived oral health status, frequency of pain and (c) payment for dental services received. The number of remaining teeth was clinically assessed. Two outcome variables were assessed (1) total DE in linear regression and (b) CDE (DE exceeds 10% of income) in logistic regression. Personal and dental background variables were explanatory variables. The response rate was 83.8% (419/500) with 43% reporting expenditure, 16.5% facing CDE and 36.3% using multiple payment methods. The greatest DE was for crowns and bridges, root canal therapy, fillings and implants. Income, payment method and pain were associated with DE and CDE. Participants used multiple payment methods including out of pocket and faced CDE. The bulk of expenditure was for rehabilitative services. The availability and quality of health-insured primary care services may reduce the financial burden facing dental patients

IRON STATUS OF FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AT GEZIRA UNIVERSITY

Objectives:      To determine the iron status of first-year medical students at Gezira University and identify influence of ethnic group and gender on the iron status.  Materials and Methods:  Cross-sectional community based study. The sample consisted of 160 students aged 16-20 years with a mean (+ SD) age 18.56 + 0.94 of both sexes (70 = males, 90 = females). Blood samples were collected from each student and questionnaire was completed. Haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), serum iron and total iron binding capacity were determined by cyanomethaemoglobin method, microhaematocrit centrifuge and colourmetric methods respectively. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and transferrin saturation were calculated.  Results: The mean (+ SD) concentration of Hb, serum iron and transferrin saturation of all male students was 14.86 + 1.29 g/dL, 102.46 + 30.5 ^g/dL and 39.72 + 11.23% respectively. The mean (+ SD) concentrations of Hb, serum-iron and transferrin saturation of all female students was 12.57 + 0.92 g/dL, 57.51 + 11.8 ^g/dL and 21.12 + 5.4% respectively.  Haemoglobin level, serum-iron and transferrin saturation were within normal levels according to WHO criteria. There were significant differences between mean values of biochemical parameters and sex of students and father income P < 0.05. There was no significant association between iron status parameters and family size and ethnic groups. There was positive correlation between subject iron status and diet (meat, liver, fruits and hilba).  Conclusion:    Iron status of first-year medical students at Gezira University is within normal reference values. This is in line with the health status of the students.&nbsp

Estimation of C-Reactive Protein, Immunoglobulin’s and Complements in SCD Patients

Abstract: Sickle cell disease (SCD) comprises an inherited blood disorder that is life long and affects many people globally. Despite progress in therapy, SCA is a considerable cause of mortality and morbidity. This study was designed to measure the immunological and inflammatory parameters of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and to found if there is any role of it in the pathogenicity of the disease. This study included A total of 32 patients, their ages ranged from 16 to 55 years patients with Sickle cell disease who have been evaluated during vaso occlusive crisis and had been followed up till they attained steady state, and there are 32 normal control subjects matched with patients in age and sex. In general there was elevation in all parameters the study were included in patients than control and particularly in crisis, despite the IgM value which was insignificantly decrease, but the statically significant elevation reported only in CRP, IgG, IgA

Recent Increase in HIV cases in Oman

NON

Recent Advances in Clinical Diagnosis and Pharmacotherapy Options of Membranous Nephropathy in Iraqi Patients

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the various glomerular diseases causing nephrotic syndrome, also referred to as membranous glomerulopathy. It can be diagnosed at any age in general, and males are more often affected than females (with the sex ratio being 2–3:1). Membranous nephropathy is a relatively rare disease in adults (approximately half of all cases are common in older White adults). Statistical analysis shows that 80% of patients with MN have high creatinine level, dyslipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, proteinuria more than (3.5 g/day), and fluid retention (edema), while 20% with asymptomatic with non-nephrotic levels of proteinuria (< 3.5 gram/day) involves the reaction of an inflammatory process in the basement membrane. It can be distinguished from nephritic syndromes by the absence of active sediments, hematuria, and red cell casts in urine microscopy. The two main causes of nephrotic range proteinuria are the loss of the anionic charge barrier in the membrane and podocyte destruction, which results in albuminuria. The field has advanced greatly and quickly over the past 10 years thanks to the development of cutting-edge instruments for disease diagnosis, classification, monitoring, and treatment. This core curriculum aims to serve as both a broad guide for the clinical management of disease and an overview of recent developments in the field. In the review, we critically summarized different diagnosis biomarker therapies used for the treatment of MN patients in Iraq. These groundbreaking discoveries were swiftly applied to clinical diagnosis and management. The diagnosis and treatment monitoring processes benefited significantly from significant advancements in detection techniques

The Gln27Glu Polymorphism in β2-Adrenergic receptor gene is linked to hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia in Saudis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) gene polymorphism glutamine 27 glutamic acid (Gln27Glu) and Arg16Gly were reported to have an association with obesity and obesity related disorders in some population. We evaluated Gln27Glu polymorphism in the β2AR gene in obese Saudi populations to investigate the association of β2AR gene with obesity and other related metabolic parameters.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>We studied possible association of Gln27Glu in β2AR gene with body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measurements and other metabolic parameters. The β2AR gene polymorphism (Gln27Glu) was identified by sequencing PCR products representing locus of interest. Based on BMI, the subjects were divided into three groups, normal weight, overweight and obese. The genotype and allele frequency were calculated separately for each group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The allelic frequency of Glu27 did not differ amongst the three groups, though the Glu27 homozygote (Glu/Glu) were more in obese subjects and had higher concentration of triglyceride, leptin and insulin compared to in the Gln27 heterozygotes and Gln/Gln homozygotes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study we were able to provide evidence on the influence of Gln27Glu genetic variant of β2AR gene on lipid phenotypes, insulin and leptin levels in the Saudi populations.</p