Nitric oxide and antioxidant enzyme levels in blood of respiratory distress syndrome--Egyptian preterms and their mothers.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of tissue injury in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) have not been completely elucidated but the involvement of oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is important in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and RDS. OBJECTIVES: To assess the oxidative status in preterms with and without RDS and in their mothers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Measuring and comparing concentrations of serum nitric oxide (NO), and erythrocytic activities of some antioxidant enzymes in blood of 20 preterms with RDS and 20 preterms without and their mothers, respectively. RESULTS: Our results confirm significant elevation of mean levels of serum NO and reduced mean levels of erythrocytic activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), in RDS preterms and their mothers compared with controls and their mothers. A significant positive correlations were found between maternal and preterm serum NO (r=0.3 & 0.6) and erythrocytic activity of SOD (r=0.5 & 0.4) for RDS and control groups, respectively. In addition, a significant negative correlations were found between NO and SOD in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of oxygen metabolites and lipid peroxidation was significantly more obvious in RDS preterms and in their mothers than those without.

Primary malignant melanoma of the larynx.

Primary malignant melanoma of the larynx is a rare clinical entity. Only 53 cases have been reported in the medical literature to date. This report describes a case of primary malignant melanoma arising in the larynx and diagnosed by histologic examination of an excisional biopsy specimen. The patient was a 53-year-old man with a history of smoking and hoarseness. There was no clinical evidence of other primary malignant melanocytic lesions. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of polygonal-epithelioid cells admixed with more elongated, spindle-shaped cells. The majority of the cells demonstrated dark brown cytoplasmic and nuclear melanin. Marked pleomorphism and abnormal mitoses were also identified. Despite significant ulceration and disruption of the epithelium, in situ malignant melanocytes were recognized within the remaining portion of the epithelium. Immunohistochemical studies were positive for S100, HMB-45, and vimentin, while cytokeratin and iron stains were negative. Based on the clinical and histologic findings, a diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the larynx was established.

Hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients in Sudan: two centers' report.

Prevalence of HCV seropositivity among the hemodialysis population in Sudan is estimated to be around 34%. We undertook a cross sectional study in two major HD centers in Khartoum, Sudan for the prevalence of HCV seropositivity among the hemodialysis patients, during January to March 2005. Testing for HCV antibodies was performed using 3rd generation enzyme linked immunoadsorption assay (ELISA). A total of 236 patients were included in the study: 218 adults and 18 children. The mean age was 43.6 +/- 15.6 years, and the majority was males: 71.6%. The cause of renal failure was unknown in 168 patients (71.2%). The mean HD duration was 36.6 +/- 35.1 months. Prevalence of HCV seropositivity was 23.7%. Among 170 patients who were previously HCV seronegative, 30 (17.1%) seroconverted to positive in one year (estimated incidence: 63 new cases per year). HCV seropositivity was associated with longer duration of dialysis (p < 0.00001), previous surgery (p= 0.026), age of over 30 and years (p = 0.008), and dialysis in multiple centers (p= 0.005). We conclude that although HCV seropositivity in our study was lower than previously reported, it was still high among HD patients in Sudan. Nosocomial transmission of HCV among hemodialysis patients is a contributing factor.