Conversion of ES cells to columnar epithelia by hensin and to squamous epithelia by laminin

Single-layered epithelia are the first differentiated cell types to develop in the embryo, with columnar and squamous types appearing immediately after blastocyst implantation. Here, we show that mouse embryonic stem cells seeded on hensin or laminin, but not fibronectin or collagen type IV, formed hemispheric epithelial structures whose outermost layer terminally differentiated to an epithelium that resembled the visceral endoderm. Hensin induced columnar epithelia, whereas laminin formed squamous epithelia. At the egg cylinder stage, the distal visceral endoderm is columnar, and these cells begin to migrate anteriorly to create the anterior visceral endoderm, which assumes a squamous shape. Hensin expression coincided with the dynamic appearance and disappearance of columnar cells at the egg cylinder stage of the embryo. These expression patterns, and the fact that hensin null embryos (and those already reported for laminin) die at the onset of egg cylinder formation, support the view that hensin and laminin are required for terminal differentiation of columnar and squamous epithelial phenotypes during early embryogenesis

Vitamin D levels in Coronavirus-infected Individuals and its Correlation with Certain Hematological Markers

The world and nearly all our health care system were confronted by a significant threat which was declared by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Determining the SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19’s prognostic and modifiable measures surely would largely contribute to outcome improving despite the deficiency of causative therapy that affected nearly 200 million people, 3.5 million fatal incidences, and it is still airborne.  The research in hand examined probable relations between the levels of vitamin D (VitD) and immunological markers. Hence, a sample of 200 lecturers and students from Cihan University-Erbil were assigned, (150 males, 50 females) whom ages were between 22 to 25, with some respondents were treated from a previous COVID-19 infection. The results showed that 98 (or 49%) of the 200 samples had Covid-19 infection. Males 60/98 had a greater prevalence rate (61%), whilst females 38/98 had a lower rate (39%). According to immunological ELISA results, every patient had positive IgG antibodies and negative IgM antibodies. Compared to the healthy group, the serum levels of IgE rose considerably in Covid-19 patients. However, when compared to the healthy group, the serum level of vitamin D3 in the Covid-19 recovered patients showed a considerable reduction. The mean results for hematological parameters indicated a non-significant increase in the number of red blood cells relative to the healthy group, but a significant increase in the WBC count, Hb concentration, and platelets. Thus, the result indicates the necessity for interventional studies on vitamin D supplementation in SARS-CoV-2 infected persons by showing a correlation between vitamin D deficit and WBC count during COVID-19 recovery

Age of women as a parameter Affecting CA-125, TSH and CBC

One of the Cancer’s antigens is the CA125, which is a protein antigen, found at excessively high levels in females characterized with ovarian cancer. It is suggested for ovarian cancer screening of women that are at higher risk to get the disease, despite its limited sensitivity and specificity. This study is conducted to identify possible correlations between CA125 and TSH levels with parameters of hematological origin among women of different ages. This study included 44 healthy looking females. Most but not all patients were from Erbil. The study revealed that, CA125 and TSH levels were not associated. Also, the elevation of the CA125 levels in the females could be related to other non-cancerous factors such as menstrual cycle, or postmenopausal. Also WBC parameters and Hb levels were not affected by CA125. The only parameter that was affected by CA125 elevation was RBCs. The research recorded a significant difference of RBC between patient group and control group. Also recorded, no difference to be considered as an indication related to the difference in women age