Correlation of staging and risk factors with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

The impairment of cardiovascular autonomic control among the underdiagnosed complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) with a high prevalence rate of up to 60% in type 2 DM (T2DM). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, arrhythmia, silent ischemia, any major cardiovascular event, and heart failure. We aimed to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic activity by different physiological maneuvers, study risk factors for diabetic CAN including age, gender, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and glycemic control, and correlate CAN stage with risk factors. One hundred and forty-two T2DM patients consisted of 62 males and 80 females and 100 volunteers as a control sample. Cardiac autonomic functions were assessed by Ewing's tests. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were also measured. Cardiovascular autonomic functions and Ewing scores were significantly different in people with diabetes when compared with control healthy subjects. Ewings test values and Ewing scores were significantly different between diabetics with and without CAN and within patients with different CAN staging. People with diabetes with CAN have a significantly longer duration of disease when compared to those without CAN. A strong association has been found between CAN severity and patient age, duration of disease, HbA1c severity, and the WHR (P < 0.001) but not with BMI. The duration of disease and HbA1c level appear to be associated with the development of CAN (P = 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). The poorer glycemic control and the longer the duration of the disease, the higher the prevalence of CAN in T2DM. Age, duration of disease, WHR, and HbA1c are well correlated with the severity of CAN. Parasympathetic impairment is more sensitive to the detection of autonomic dysfunctions than do sympathetic impairment.

Association of ABCB1 gene polymorphism (C1236T and C3435T) with refractory epilepsy in Iraqi patients.

The mechanisms of refractory epilepsy (RE) are most likely multifactorial, involving environmental, genetic, as well as disease- and drug-related factors. We aimed to study is to investigate the possible association of two ABCB1 gene polymorphism (C3435T and C1236T) with the development of RE in Iraqi patients. One hundred patients with either generalized tonic-clonic seizures, myoclonic epilepsy, or absence epilepsy comprised of 60 patients responsive to AEDs and 40 patients who were refractory to treatment who used multi AEDs for at least one month were studied. Fifty family-unrelated age- and sex-matched healthy subjects represent the control group. ABCB1 gene fragments corresponding to two targeted polymorphisms were amplified with conventional polymerase chain reaction using specific sets of primers. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Epileptic patients refractory to AEDs showed a significantly higher frequency of CC genotypes of C3435T polymorphism than controls. Allele C was significantly higher in patients than controls and far more frequent among patients with RE. C1235T polymorphism had no significant role neither in the incidence of epilepsy nor in the AEDs resistance. The CT haplotype was more frequent among patients refractory to AEDs. In contrast, the haplotype block TT was more frequent among responsive (41.3%) than refractory patients (28.7%) (p = 0.068). The CC genotype and C allele of the C3435T polymorphism can increase the risk of RE. The haplotype block CT of C3435T and C1236T can predispose for epilepsy as well as the drug resistance.

Maternal plasma kisspeptin-10 level in preeclamptic pregnant women and its relation in changing their reproductive hormones.

AIMS: To evaluate plasma kisspeptin-10 (KP-10) as a marker for preeclampsia and assess its relation to altered reproductive hormones in preeclamptic pregnant women. METHODS: First time pregnant women (n = 100) at 20 weeks of gestation participated in this study and divided into preeclamptics (n = 60) and normotensives (n = 40). KP-10, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG), estradiol (E2) and progesterone were evaluated during 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy for all women. RESULTS: Kisspeptin-10 levels were reduced in preeclampsia (PE) women compared with normotensive pregnancies. In the 2nd trimester, area under receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.662, positive and negative predictive values were 32.8 and 94.6, and test sensitivity and specificity were 55% and 87.5%, respectively. In the 3rd trimester, area under ROC curve was 0.747 positive and negative predictive values were 22.2 and 97.3, and test sensitivity and specificity were 83.3% and 67.5%, respectively. In PE patients, plasma KP-10 demonstrated an inverse correlation with E2 (during the 2nd trimester), LH and FSH (during the 3rd trimester), and positively correlated with ß-hCG (during the 3rd trimester). CONCLUSION: This study showed significantly reduced plasma KP-10 levels in PE women. This suggests that KP-10 may play an important role in the pathophysiology of PE. Therefore, combined with previous studies, to diagnose the PE, testing for maternal KP-10 plasma levels may be useful as an effective screening, but because of low positive predictive value and inadequate test sensitivity, screening cannot be recommended. Furthermore, KP-10 in PE patients demonstrated significant positive correlation with ß-hCG.

Association of BCR/ABL transcript variants with different blood parameters and demographic features in Iraqi chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of BCR-ABL fusion gene (GenBank accession NC_000022.11). In the vast majority of CML patients, the typical subtype of BCR-ABL transcript are b3a2, b2a2 or both. The aim of this study was to determine the different subtypes of BCR-ABL transcript and their impact on the demographic and hematological parameters in Iraqi patients with CML. METHODS: One hundred patients with chronic phase CML (11 newly diagnosed and 89 imatinib-resistant) were enrolled in this study. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from leukocytes, and complementary DNA was created using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction with four specific primers was used to determine the BCR-ABL fusion subtypes in each patient. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1.38:1. Fifty-nine patients expressed b3a2 transcript, whereas 39 of the remaining cases were positive for b2a2 variant. One case expressed b2a3 transcript, while the last case coexpressed the two subtypes of mRNA b3a2/b2a2. Male and female were significantly associated with b3a2 and b2a2 subtypes, respectively. The b3a2 subtype showed higher total leukocyte count than b2a2 subgroup, while b2a2 variant demonstrated significantly elevated platelet counts compared to those with b3a2 transcript. A significantly higher plateletcrit percentage (PCT%) was found in patients with b2a2 transcript whereas. CONCLUSIONS: The testified Iraqi group expressed M-BCR-ABL type with preponderance of b3a2 over b2a2 subtype. There was a gender-skewed distribution in BCR-ABL transcript types with b3a2 transcript more prevalent in males. The type of BCR-ABL transcript is reflected by different leukocyte and platelet counts at diagnosis, which might represent a distinct phenotype and disease biology.

Correlation of Kisspeptin-10 level and fetal well-being in preeclamptic patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the role of kisspeptin-10 in preeclampsia and check for possible relationship between its severity and fetal growth well-being. Kisspeptin-10 may participate in implantation of the embryo, placenta formation, and maintenance of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred women who completed 20 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancies were divided into 60 peeclamptic and 40 normotensive control women. Kisspeptin-10 level estimation, and ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound studies for umbilical artery were performed during their second and third trimesters of pregnancy. RESULTS: Plasma kisspeptin-10 level was lower in preeclamptic groups and inversely correlated with the severity of the disease. Its level directly correlated with estimated fetal weight in utero during both trimesters in patients with severe preeclampsia and with fetal birth weight in patients with mild preeclampsia, whereas an inverse correlation was observed in those with severe preeclampsia during their second trimester. Kisspeptin-10 level was directly related to the resistance index in the second trimester in patients with severe preeclampsia, while it inversely correlated with the systolic/diastolic ratio and resistance index in the third trimester in patients with mild preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Kisspeptin-10 level is useful in assessing the severity of preeclampsia and can be a novel marker downregulated in pregnant women with preeclampsia, especially in those who also developed impaired uteroplacental perfusion or intrauterine growth restriction.

Somatosensory evoked potentials as a predictor for functional recovery of the upper limb in patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND: Predicting motor recovery in the arm of patients with stroke is generally based on clinical examination. However, neurophysiologic measures may also have a predictive value. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the value of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in predicting motor recovery of the upper limb and to determine whether any of the SSEPs components can predict the severity of the deficit so that it can document the size of the stroke (lacunar or large-vessel stroke). METHOD: In all, 22 patients who had had a first-ever stroke and presented with obvious motor deficit of the arm were examined in terms of 3 clinical variables (motor performance, muscle tone, and overall disability) and for SSEPs. Clinical (Medical Research Council [MRC] scale and Barthel index scores) and neurophysiologic examinations were done at entry to the study (first week poststroke) and 3 months after stroke. RESULTS: Significantly low mean MRC scale score was found at first week versus after 3 months of stroke and in patients with large-vessel as compared with lacunar stroke both at first week and after 3 months. The mean Barthel index score was significantly higher after 3 months than at first week, whereas it was significantly lower in large-vessel as compared with lacunar stroke both at first week and after 3 months of stroke. Significantly prolonged N(20) latency, low peak-to-peak amplitude (PPA), and low amplitude ratio were found in patients with stroke as compared with control subjects. None of the neurophysiologic parameters were different in the patients with stroke between first week and third month. The MRC score and PPA were correlated well with the outcome MRC and Barthel index scores after 3 months. N(20) latency correlates with the outcome MRC score but not with the outcome Barthel index score. Interestingly, the N(20) latency was significantly different in lacunar from large-vessel stroke. CONCLUSION: The muscle power (MRC score) is the main outcome predictor in patients with stroke. PPA is the main SSEPs component with high prognostic value in stroke. The SSEPs N(20) latency can predict (even roughly) the size of cerebral infarction (whether lacunar or large-vessel stroke).

Assessment of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) aetiology is multifactorial, including endocrine, neurological, vascular, systemic disease, local penile disorders, nutrition, psychogenic factors, and drug-related. This study was performed to compare the relevant comprehensive biochemical parameters as well as the clinical characteristics in diabetic ED and healthy control subjects and to assess the occurrence of penile neuropathy in diabetic patients and thus the relationship between ED and diabetes. A total of 56 patients accepted to undergo assessment for penile vasculature using intracavernosal injection and colour Doppler ultrasonography. Of the 56 diabetic patients, 38 patients were found with normal blood flow and thus they were considered as the diabetic-ED group, whereas, ED diabetic patients with an arteriogenic component were excluded. These patients with an age range between 17 and 58 years, complaining of ED, with duration of diabetic illness ranging from 2 to 15 years. The Control group comprised of 30 healthy subject aged between 19 and 55 years. Peripheral venous levels of testosterone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), malondialdehyde and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1)c) were obtained in all subjects. Valsalva manoeuvre and neurophysiological tests were also determined. Testosterone, prolactine, FSH, LH, and TSH hormones of the diabetic patients were not significantly different from those of the control group. Diabetic patients with ED have higher HbA(1)c and oxidative stress levels while the R-R ratio was significantly decreased. Bulbocavernosus reflex latency was significantly prolonged, whereas its amplitude, the conduction velocity and amplitude of dorsal nerve of penis were significantly reduced in the diabetic patients. We concluded that although ED is a multifactorial disorder, yet, the present study revealed that in ED patients without arteriogenic ED a neurogenic component is present. Furthermore, the complex effect of the Valsalva manoeuvre on cardiovascular function is the basis of its usefulness as a measure of autonomic function. Thus, it can be of value in the diagnosis of ED although these hypotheses require follow-up in a large study cohort.

The role of different neurophysiological tests in the differential diagnosis of diabetic axonal neuropathy and lumbosacral radiculopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of different neurophysiological tests in the differential diagnosis of diabetic axonal neuropathy (DAN) and lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR). METHODS: This study was conducted at Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from July 2006 to February 2007. Twenty-seven healthy subjects, 44 type 2 diabetics, and 36 LSR patients were studied. The HbA1c level, plain x-ray, and MRI of the lumbosacral region and different electrophysiological tests were assessed. RESULTS: The sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude values were reduced in 56.3%, and the sural/radial amplitude ratio (SRAR) values were reduced in 71.8% in the diabetic patients, but not in the LSR group. The peroneal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude was low in 70.45% DAN patients versus 35.5% LSR patients. Peroneal F-minimum (Fmin) values were prolonged in 56.8% DAN versus 32.25% LSR patients. The Fpersistence (Fp) values were low in 72.7% of DAN, versus 45.2% of LSR patients. However, the Fchronodispersion (Fc) was abnormal in 71% of LSR versus 11.4% of DAN patients. CONCLUSION: The SRAR was found to be more significant than the sural SNAP amplitude alone in the differential diagnosis of the 2 groups. Abnormal peroneal Fc and Fp seems to be valuable tests in the detection of LSR and DAN patients.

Neurophysiologic evaluation of the temporomandibular joint and related masticatory muscles in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and related muscles using CT scan and neurophysiologic tests. METHODS: Forty-two RA patients referred from the Maxillofacial Clinic at the Special Surgeries Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq from February 2006 to September 2006 were included in this study. Thirty-seven of them underwent CT scan of the TMJ and 25 of these patients were neurophysiologically examined. The data were compared to 30 age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: Fifteen patients showed normal TMJ, whereas, abnormal TMJ on CT scan was present in 22 patients. Of these 22 patients, 6 showed decrease in the intra-articular space, 6 exhibited erosion of the condylar head, and 3 had flattening of the condylar head. The remaining 7 patients had all the abnormalities present. Electromyography (EMG) examination showed reduced interference pattern, poor recruitment of motor unit potentials, shift of the power spectra to the lower frequencies, low mean power frequency, and root mean square values, and prolonged blink reflex component latencies. CONCLUSION: Rheumatoid arthritis patients with positive CT scan findings have poorer neurophysiologic data than those without CT scan detectable lesions. Trigeminal motor neuropathy is suggested to be the cause of the masticatory muscle weakness. Root mean square voltage as a parameter of the EMG power spectra is of great value in diagnosing such weakness.

Vincristine-induced neuropathy in rat: electrophysiological and histological study.

Peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy is one of the most frequent side effects of vincristine (VCR) administration, which often limits its usefulness in the treatment of a wide range of neoplastic diseases. The purpose of this work is to study VCR neurotoxicity in experimental animals from clinical, electrophysiological, and histological points of view. Sixty-five rats were used as a control group and 31 rats were divided into two groups and given VCR in two different regimens: the fixed-dose group (0.2 mg/kg) and the increasing-dose group (0.1 mg/kg, by an increment of 0.05 mg/kg/week). VCR was given intraperitoneally once weekly for five consecutive weeks. Electrophysiological examinations of the control and both treated groups were performed and included measurements of nerve conduction velocity and action potential (AP) amplitude of sciatic and tail nerves weekly during the period of treatment and 14 weeks after discontinuation of treatment. Histological sections of sciatic nerves were examined after the appearance of early electrophysiological changes, at the end of the 5th, and 19th weeks of the study (14 weeks after discontinuation of treatment). With the progress of the treatment, an increasing number of rats showing signs of neurological deficits were observed. During the first 5 weeks of this study, electrophysiological testing showed a nonsignificant difference in the conduction velocities of sciatic and tail nerves between the control and the treated groups, whereas a significant decrease in the amplitude of the sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the tested nerves was recorded. The reduction in the AP amplitude was associated with histological changes characterized by axonal degeneration with relative demyelination. Fourteen weeks after discontinuation of treatment, a significant increment in the SNAP and CMAP amplitudes of both sciatic and tail nerves was noticed. While the CMAP amplitude of the distal segment of the tail showed nonsignificant increment, lesser number of fibers with axonal and/or myelin lesions were found. The clinical, electrophysiological, and histological results suggest that VCR induces peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy of axonal type more prominent in the fixed- than the increasing-dose group. The discontinuation of VCR permitted the improvement of the electrophysiological and histological changes. The rat can be used as an animal model for studying VCR neurotoxicity. However, further studies on larger number of animals are required to evaluate the type of nerve fiber involvement and the site of damage.