Death associated protein kinase-1 gene methylation pattern in some leukemic patients attending Zagazig University hospitals: is it a clue?

Background: Leukemia is a type of cancer arising from white blood cells (WBCs) and resulting from malignant transformation of different types of white blood cell precursors. The objective was to study the DAPK-1 gene methylation pattern in leukemic patients and to through some light on its possible role as a risk factor for leukemia.Methods: Forty-one patients diagnosed as leukemic patients and 41 age-matched healthy unrelated volunteers taken as a control group. The analysis of aberrant promoter DAPK1 gene methylation was done by specific polymerase chain reaction.Results: The results of the present study showed that there was a significant association of methylated DAPK-1 promoter area among leukemic group than in control group Chi-square (X2) was 21.98, or value patients was 10.46 and there was a significant association when compared with the control group (p <0.001). And there was no significant association when compared according to gender Chi-square (X2) was 0.43 and (p=0.51). Our results revealed in the AML group DAPK-1 promoter area were methylated with percentage of 73.9%. or value for AML patients was 13.76 and there was a significant association when compared with the control group (p <0.001), in the ALL group 4 patients had methylated DAPK-1 promoter area with percentage of 57.1% or value for all patients was 6.47 and there was a significant association when compared with the control group (p=0.03) and in the CLL group 7 patients had methylated DAPK-1 promoter area with percentage of 63.6%. OR value for CCL patients was 8.5 and there was a significant association when compared with the control group (p=0.004). On the contrary, we didn’t observe any significant associations between DAPK-1 promoter area methylation and the type of leukemia (p = 0.65).Conclusions: These results suggested that DAPK1 promoter methylation might play a significant role in the pathogenesis of different types of leukemia. And the DAPK1 promoter methylation has a predictive value in the prediction of leukemia occurrence.

Performance cleaning unit for sesame and clover seeds affecting some physical and mechanical properties

Cleaning fine seeds necessitates the use of a specific machine. Studying the physical and engineering features of seeds is critical for determining cleaning machine design and development parameters. In this study, some parameters affecting sesame and clover seed cleaning machines were selected. Feeding rate, machine efficiency, and purity are all affected by screen title angles, hole diameters, and sieve oscillation. The optimum performance was at sieve oscillation of 160 rpm, screen tilt angle of 3 degrees and round shaped screen 3 mm at 12% moisture content feeding rates were 50 and 50.94 kg.hr-1 , machine efficiency were 95.07 and 95.2% and purity were 99.78 and 99.78% for sesame and clover seeds, respectively

Propofol dexmedetomidine versus propofol ketamine for anesthesia of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (A randomized comparative study)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of propofol/dexmedetomidine and propofol/ketamine combinations for anesthesia in patients undergoing ERCP regarding hemodynamic changes, propofol requirements and the recovery criteria. Patient and methods: Sixty patients aged 20–50 years ASA II or III scheduled for ERCP were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups: dexmedetomidine/propofol (DP) group and ketamine/propofol (KP) group. DP patients received a loading dose of iv dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg over 15 min then maintained by a 0.5 μg/kg/h. Group KP patients received a loading dose of iv ketamine 1 mg/kg over15 min then maintained by 0.5 mg/kg/h. Induction of anesthesia was achieved with propofol 2 mg/kg, atracurium 0.5 mg/kg to facilitate endotracheal intubation. Anesthesia was maintained by propofol infusion 5 mg/kg/h, intermittent iv propofol boluses (0.5 mg/kg) were administered if needed. MAP and HR were recorded before loading of study drugs (baseline) and recorded every 5 min after beginning of loading throughout the procedure and just after intubation, then every 15 min for one hour post-operative. Total propofol consumption, recovery time, VAS and postoperative complications (PONV, cognitive dysfunction, and respiratory complications) were recorded. Results: The intra-procedural HR and MAP showed high statistical significant differences between both groups throughout the procedure with lower values in DP group (p < 0.01 or <0.001). During the post-procedural period, the HR and MAP were significantly lower in DP group. Propofol consumption was comparable in both groups (268.0 ± 122.3 mg) in DP group versus (304.7 ± 142.0 mg) in KP group. Postprocedural recovery time was significantly shorter in DP group (5.7 ± 1.7 min) compared with (22.2 ± 8.2 min) KP group (p < 0.01). VAS was comparable in the two groups. PONV was 46.67% of KP group, while it was absent in DP group. Post-operative cognitive disorders showed a high statistical significant difference between both groups (p < 0.001) with no cases was reported in DP group. No respiratory complications in both groups. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine–propofol combination as TIVA during ERCP showed better intra-and post-procedural hemodynamic stability, less PONV, less postoperative cognitive dysfunctions and shorter recovery time when compared with ketamine–propofol combination

Aggrecan and Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Serum and Synovial Fluid of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Aggrecan and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) which are important degradation products of articular cartilage may be promising diagnostic markers in serum and/or synovial fluid for diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Our objective was to measure serum and synovial fluid levels of aggrecan and COMP in patients with OA of the knee joint to find out if they could be of diagnostic value in OA and if their levels correlate with the clinical and radiological manifestations of the disease. Sixty-six patients suffering from primary knee OA with effusion (26 males and 40 females) were studied. Twenty individuals (six males and 14 females) with recent traumatic knee effusion matched for age and sex were chosen to serve as a control group. All subjects had thorough clinical and radiological (X-ray and MRI) evaluation. Aggrecan and COMP in serum and synovial fluid were measured by ELISA. Serum and synovial fluid aggrecan and COMP levels were significantly higher than the control. Serum and synovial fluid aggrecan and COMP levels were positively correlated with age, body mass index, disease duration, plain X-ray and MRI scores. In OA, serum and synovial fluid aggrecan and COMP levels are elevated and represent useful markers in the diagnosis. Moreover, these elevated levels positively correlated with radiological joint damage but not with clinical disease parameters. These markers have the potential to be used for monitoring articular cartilage destruction and response to different therapeutic modalities

Modulação da proliferação fibroblástica e da resposta inflamatória pela terapia a laser de baixa intensidade no processo de reparo tecidual Modulation of fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory response by low-intensity laser therapy in tissue repair process

FUNDAMENTOS: Ao longo dos anos, diversos estudos têm sido realizados para compreender o processo de reparo tecidual, bem como os possíveis efeitos da terapia a laser no processo de cicatrização de feridas. OBJETIVOS: Investigar o comportamento de feridas cutâneas provocadas na região dorsal de ratos Wistar (Rattus norvegicus), que foram submetidos ao tratamento com laser de baixa intensidade, com 3,8 J/cm² de dosagem, 15mW de potência e tempo de aplicação de 15s. MÉTODOS: Os animais (n = 12) foram divididos em dois grupos, um controle e outro tratado com laser. Foram realizadas, no grupo tratado, três aplicações (imediatamente após o ato cirúrgico, 48 horas e sete dias após a realização das feridas cirúrgicas). Dez dias após o ato cirúrgico foram colhidas amostras das lesões de ambos os grupos para realização de estudo histopatológico e histomorfométrico. RESULTADOS: Foram evidenciados aumentos da neovascularização e da proliferação fibroblástica, e diminuição da quantidade de infiltrado inflamatório nas lesões cirúrgicas submetidas à terapia com laser. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados em conjunto sugerem que a terapia a laser de baixa intensidade é um método eficaz no processo de modulação da reparação tecidual, contribuindo significativamente para a cicatrização tecidual mais rápida e organizada.<br>BACKGROUND: Several studies have been performed to understand the tissue repair process as well as the possible effects of laser therapy in wound healing. OBJECTIVES: To study the behavior of skin wounds induced in the dorsal region of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), which were submitted to the low-intensity laser therapy at 3.8 J/cm² dosage, 15mW potency, during 15 seconds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The animals (n=12) were divided into two groups - control and laser-treated. The latter comprised three applications (immediately after surgery, 48 hours and 7 days after induction of surgical wounds). Ten days after surgery samples of the wounds were collected and submitted to histopathological and histomorphometric studies. RESULTS: Neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation and reduced inflammatory infiltrate in surgical wound submitted to laser therapy were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results suggest that low-intensity laser therapy is an effective method to modulate tissue repair, thus significantly contributing to a faster and more organized healing process