Lumen enlargement during coronary stenting results from vessel expansion and axial redistribution of atheromatous plaque along the stented segment and proximal and distal reference segments. Plaque burden predicts stenosis at the stent edge. The aim of this study was to investigate the fate of shifted plaque with special reference to whether or not plaque shift (PSh) correlates with late lumen reduction. This is a prospective study conducted on 54 consecutive patients who underwent bare metal stenting. In all stent edges (108 edges), ...

Background: Tuberculosis is a disease with high mortality and morbidity. Pulmonary tuberculosis which is one of the granulomatous diseases has few serological markers for its activity. Case detection and early treatment of positive patients are critical to the control of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Traditionally, diagnosis of tuberculosis depends on smear-culture method which although considered gold standard leaves a lot to be desired. New technology offers the opportunity for rapid alternative techniques for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, some of them may prove to be accurate, species-specific and easily applied, new approaches that may be applicable to the recognition of mycobacteria had emerged as immunoassay of mycobacterial antigens. Immunoassay is cheap, uses stable reagents, does not require sophisticated equipment and can be performed in developing countries. Serum CRP levels may have a role in identifying the advanced and extensive disease patients thereby indirectly helping the health workers to pick up delayed convertors/potential defaulters, so as to guide them to put in extra efforts on these groups, in tuberculosis control programs. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the major mediators of angiogenesis and vascular permeability. Intense angiogenesis has been found in active pulmonary tuberculosis lesions. VEGF may be a useful screening marker for active tuberculosis, as a negative result greatly reduces the likelihood of tuberculosis. Objective: to determine the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Vascular Endothelial growth Factor (VEGF) in patients with tuberculosis and evaluate the relationship with clinical and radiological findings, and to determine whether active pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with increased serum levels of VEGF compared with inactive tuberculosis and healthy subjects. Method: Serum VEGF levels and CRP of 20 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, 20 patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, and 10 healthy subjects were determined. Results: CRP was very highly significant (0.0001) on comparing both active tuberculous and old tuberculous group with control, VEGF was very highly significant (0.0001), on comparing active tuberculous group with control and significant (P0.05) on comparing old tuberculous group with control, comparison of active and old tuberculous groups revealed a very significant (0.0001) as regard CRP and VEGF. No correlation was found between VEGF and CRP in active TB patients or old TB group. Conclusion: The serum levels of C-reactive protein and Vascular Endothelial growth Factor were elevated in patients with tuberculosis in comparison to control, active pulmonary tuberculosis was associated with increased serum levels of VEGF compared with inactive tuberculosis and healthy subjects. Both CRP and VEGF don't correlate with clinical and radiological findings in tuberculous patients. VEGF and CRP may be a useful screening marker for active tuberculosis.

Journal of American Science, 2011; Vol, (7), No, (12) , 649-655, December, 2011. , http://www.americanscience.org

Sulphur dioxide and trioxide vapors are currently emitted from the superphosphate factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province with the possibility of environmental pollution thought the limits of these vapors in the factory may be within the permissible authorized limits. So the present work aimed to elucidate the effects of exposure of these vapors and other related sulphur compounds on fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase among the workers joining this factory and as a preliminary study aiming a detailed follow-up program concerning detection of any metabolic disturbances or environmental pollution diseases that could possibly be developed. Twenty-eight male workers were recruited from the workers among the Superphosphate Factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province. They were chosen on the basis of being continuously exposed to sulphur dioxide and related sulphur compounds during their daily working hours and representing all the areas of the factory. Their ages ranged between 26 and 55 years with mean SD ( 38.64 6.2). In addition, 84% of them are exposed for 10 years or more. The control group compromised 14 healthy males that were selected to match as nearly as possible the exposed group in age and socioeconomic class. They have no history of potential exposure to this type of environmental pollution. Their ages ranges between 27 and 50 years with mean SD (39.04 6.2). From each participant fresh serum samples were used for estimation of fasting blood glucose. In addition serum insulin , C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase were also estimated. Statistical comparison revealed that the workers of the exposed group had mean SD fasting blood glucose levels that were significantly higher than those of control (P0.001) (mean SD of exposed group 11.3 15.99 mg/dl) and that of the control was (73.5 5.854mg/dl). The mean SD serum insulin concentration for the control group was (12.43 4.24 uU/ml), while that for the exposed group was (16.36 0.89 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.001) . The mean SD of C-peptide for the control group was (1.057 1.308 ng/ml), while that for the exposed group was (1.967 1.472 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.02) . Furthermore, in every individual of the exposed group, the level of serum zinc was raised and the mean SD was (118.93 2.12 ug/d)l which is significantly higher than that of the control group (mean SD was 84.78 8.604 ug/dl) and p0.001. It is noteworthy to emphasize that all the workers studied showed serum alkaline phosphatase levels (mean SD 99.95 16.93 Iu/L) higher than that reported for control (mean SD 65.7 17.7Iu/L) and p0.001, an index pointing to sort of biochemical hepatic dysfunction. Thus, individuals of the exposed group appear to have a sort of hyperglycemia associated with abnormal hyperinsulinaemia in reference to control, although their insulin levels and C-peptide are within the international official ones (up to 25 and 5 ng/ml).

Sulphur dioxide and trioxide vapors are currently emitted from the superphosphate factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province with the possibility of environmental pollution thought the limits of these vapors in the factory may be within the permissible authorized limits. So the present work aimed to elucidate the effects of exposure of these vapors and other related sulphur compounds on fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase among the workers joining this factory and as a preliminary study aiming a detailed follow-up program concerning detection of any metabolic disturbances or environmental pollution diseases that could possibly be developed. Twenty-eight male workers were recruited from the workers among the Superphosphate Factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province. They were chosen on the basis of being continuously exposed to sulphur dioxide and related sulphur compounds during their daily working hours and representing all the areas of the factory. Their ages ranged between 26 and 55 years with mean SD ( 38.64 6.2). In addition, 84% of them are exposed for 10 years or more. The control group compromised 14 healthy males that were selected to match as nearly as possible the exposed group in age and socioeconomic class. They have no history of potential exposure to this type of environmental pollution. Their ages ranges between 27 and 50 years with mean SD (39.04 6.2). From each participant fresh serum samples were used for estimation of fasting blood glucose. In addition serum insulin , C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase were also estimated. Statistical comparison revealed that the workers of the exposed group had mean SD fasting blood glucose levels that were significantly higher than those of control (P0.001) (mean SD of exposed group 11.3 15.99 mg/dl) and that of the control was (73.5 5.854mg/dl). The mean SD serum insulin concentration for the control group was (12.43 4.24 uU/ml), while that for the exposed group was (16.36 0.89 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.001) . The mean SD of C-peptide for the control group was (1.057 1.308 ng/ml), while that for the exposed group was (1.967 1.472 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.02) . Furthermore, in every individual of the exposed group, the level of serum zinc was raised and the mean SD was (118.93 2.12 ug/d)l which is significantly higher than that of the control group (mean SD was 84.78 8.604 ug/dl) and p0.001. It is noteworthy to emphasize that all the workers studied showed serum alkaline phosphatase levels (mean SD 99.95 16.93 Iu/L) higher than that reported for control (mean SD 65.7 17.7Iu/L) and p0.001, an index pointing to sort of biochemical hepatic dysfunction. Thus, individuals of the exposed group appear to have a sort of hyperglycemia associated with abnormal hyperinsulinaemia in reference to control, although their insulin levels and C-peptide are within the international official ones (up to 25 and 5 ng/ml).

Sulphur dioxide and trioxide vapors are currently emitted from the superphosphate factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province with the possibility of environmental pollution thought the limits of these vapors in the factory may be within the permissible authorized limits. So the present work aimed to elucidate the effects of exposure of these vapors and other related sulphur compounds on fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase among the workers joining this factory and as a preliminary study aiming a detailed follow-up program concerning detection of any metabolic disturbances or environmental pollution diseases that could possibly be developed. Twenty-eight male workers were recruited from the workers among the Superphosphate Factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province. They were chosen on the basis of being continuously exposed to sulphur dioxide and related sulphur compounds during their daily working hours and representing all the areas of the factory. Their ages ranged between 26 and 55 years with mean SD ( 38.64 6.2). In addition, 84% of them are exposed for 10 years or more. The control group compromised 14 healthy males that were selected to match as nearly as possible the exposed group in age and socioeconomic class. They have no history of potential exposure to this type of environmental pollution. Their ages ranges between 27 and 50 years with mean SD (39.04 6.2). From each participant fresh serum samples were used for estimation of fasting blood glucose. In addition serum insulin , C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase were also estimated. Statistical comparison revealed that the workers of the exposed group had mean SD fasting blood glucose levels that were significantly higher than those of control (P0.001) (mean SD of exposed group 11.3 15.99 mg/dl) and that of the control was (73.5 5.854mg/dl). The mean SD serum insulin concentration for the control group was (12.43 4.24 uU/ml), while that for the exposed group was (16.36 0.89 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.001) . The mean SD of C-peptide for the control group was (1.057 1.308 ng/ml), while that for the exposed group was (1.967 1.472 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.02) . Furthermore, in every individual of the exposed group, the level of serum zinc was raised and the mean SD was (118.93 2.12 ug/d)l which is significantly higher than that of the control group (mean SD was 84.78 8.604 ug/dl) and p0.001. It is noteworthy to emphasize that all the workers studied showed serum alkaline phosphatase levels (mean SD 99.95 16.93 Iu/L) higher than that reported for control (mean SD 65.7 17.7Iu/L) and p0.001, an index pointing to sort of biochemical hepatic dysfunction. Thus, individuals of the exposed group appear to have a sort of hyperglycemia associated with abnormal hyperinsulinaemia in reference to control, although their insulin levels and C-peptide are within the international official ones (up to 25 and 5 ng/ml).

Sulphur dioxide and trioxide vapors are currently emitted from the superphosphate factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province with the possibility of environmental pollution thought the limits of these vapors in the factory may be within the permissible authorized limits. So the present work aimed to elucidate the effects of exposure of these vapors and other related sulphur compounds on fasting blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase among the workers joining this factory and as a preliminary study aiming a detailed follow-up program concerning detection of any metabolic disturbances or environmental pollution diseases that could possibly be developed. Twenty-eight male workers were recruited from the workers among the Superphosphate Factory in Mankabad, Assuit Province. They were chosen on the basis of being continuously exposed to sulphur dioxide and related sulphur compounds during their daily working hours and representing all the areas of the factory. Their ages ranged between 26 and 55 years with mean SD ( 38.64 6.2). In addition, 84% of them are exposed for 10 years or more. The control group compromised 14 healthy males that were selected to match as nearly as possible the exposed group in age and socioeconomic class. They have no history of potential exposure to this type of environmental pollution. Their ages ranges between 27 and 50 years with mean SD (39.04 6.2). From each participant fresh serum samples were used for estimation of fasting blood glucose. In addition serum insulin , C-peptide , Zinc levels and serum alkaline phosphatase were also estimated. Statistical comparison revealed that the workers of the exposed group had mean SD fasting blood glucose levels that were significantly higher than those of control (P0.001) (mean SD of exposed group 11.3 15.99 mg/dl) and that of the control was (73.5 5.854mg/dl). The mean SD serum insulin concentration for the control group was (12.43 4.24 uU/ml), while that for the exposed group was (16.36 0.89 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.001) . The mean SD of C-peptide for the control group was (1.057 1.308 ng/ml), while that for the exposed group was (1.967 1.472 uU/ml) and proved to be significantly higher than that of control (P0.02) . Furthermore, in every individual of the exposed group, the level of serum zinc was raised and the mean SD was (118.93 2.12 ug/d)l which is significantly higher than that of the control group (mean SD was 84.78 8.604 ug/dl) and p0.001. It is noteworthy to emphasize that all the workers studied showed serum alkaline phosphatase levels (mean SD 99.95 16.93 Iu/L) higher than that reported for control (mean SD 65.7 17.7Iu/L) and p0.001, an index pointing to sort of biochemical hepatic dysfunction. Thus, individuals of the exposed group appear to have a sort of hyperglycemia associated with abnormal hyperinsulinaemia in reference to control, although their insulin levels and C-peptide are within the international official ones (up to 25 and 5 ng/ml).

The activity and electrophoretic mobility of leucine amino peptidase (LAP) were assessed in the sera of 100 patients with different clinical stages of Schistoisoma haematobium infection as well as in 20 samples of ascetic fluids obtained from patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly associated with Ascities matched with 20 healthy adult males sample as control. Generally LAP activity was significantly higher in all patients. The activity of serum LAP showed a progressive rise with the advance in the clinical condition. The highest level was encountered in the sera of patients with cancer of the urinary bladder and liver metastasis. leucine amino peptidase was considerably found in the ascetic fluid. The ratio of the activity of LAP in the ascetic fluid to its activity in the serum of the same patients was 1:4.5 where the enzyme diffuses from the blood to the ascetic fluid. The enzyme detected by electrophoresis, in serum or ascetic fluid LAP migrated as a single component in the 1- globulin fraction. The results are discussed and compared with those in the literature.

The activity and electrophoretic mobility of leucine amino peptidase (LAP) were assessed in the sera of 100 patients with different clinical stages of Schistoisoma haematobium infection as well as in 20 samples of ascetic fluids obtained from patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly associated with Ascities matched with 20 healthy adult males sample as control. Generally LAP activity was significantly higher in all patients. The activity of serum LAP showed a progressive rise with the advance in the clinical condition. The highest level was encountered in the sera of patients with cancer of the urinary bladder and liver metastasis. leucine amino peptidase was considerably found in the ascetic fluid. The ratio of the activity of LAP in the ascetic fluid to its activity in the serum of the same patients was 1:4.5 where the enzyme diffuses from the blood to the ascetic fluid. The enzyme detected by electrophoresis, in serum or ascetic fluid LAP migrated as a single component in the 1- globulin fraction. The results are discussed and compared with those in the literature.