Exploring nitric oxide as a crucial prognostic biomarker of coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to examine if the polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and the serum NO levels are associated with CAD. MATERIALS/METHODS: Case-control study, 70 CAD and 30 control subjects were enrolled. The eNOS gene polymorphism was measured by polymerase chain reaction-agarose gel electrophoresis and the serum NO was assessed by using an ELISA plate and reader covering 540 nm. RESULTS: Uncovering the area under curve (AUC) for serum NO, which was (0.6821), indicating that NO seemed to be a critical prognostic biomarker of CAD; also, glucose, serum creatinine and total bilirubin proved to be significant predictors of CAD with AUC (0.6793, 0.6717 and 0.6662) respectively. Furthermore, higher serum NO levels were associated with the eNOS (ab) genotype. Revealing the intron (a) allele was protective against CAD. Moreover, diminished levels of serum NO in CAD groups compared to controls (P < 0.05). Additionally, Multiple logistic regression analysis shows a significantly high Odds ratio associated with CAD in the Duhok population. CONCLUSIONS: The eNOS (ab) variant seems to be a protective CAD factor for patients. Low serum NO levels are another risk factor for the advancement of CAD, suggesting their involvement in atherosclerosis. The (a) allele's protective effect is mediated through changes in eNOS promoter activity and higher NO levels.

Genetic and clinical study of myeloperoxidase's association with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Unraveling myeloperoxidase's (MPO) correlation with coronary artery disease (CAD) and genetic variations, this study seeks to enhance diagnostic precision and therapeutic strategies. RESULTS: CAD patients were found to be older and more male than controls. Several clinical parameters, including glucose, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and troponin levels, showed significant variations. Moreover, CAD patients had lower red cell distribution width (RDW%) and mean platelet volume (MPV) than controls. Serum MPO levels did not differ significantly between CAD patients and controls, and no correlation was found with other clinical parameters except for glucose, creatinine, and total bilirubin. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that serum MPO levels are not substantially related to CAD patients, as indicated by lower MPO levels in CAD patients compared to controls. While highlighting the potential of MPV and RDW% as predictors of severe atherosclerosis in CAD. Further research is needed to validate the diagnostic and prognostic value of RDW%, MPV, and MPO levels in CAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 15092021-9-12. Registered 15 September 2021.

Cardiac Hydatid cysts; presentation and management. A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid cyst commonly affects liver and lung. Cardiac Hydatid cyst is an extremely rare disease. The aim of this study is to report the presentation and management of cardiac Hydatid diseases admitted to two major cardiac centers. METHOD: A retrospective, case series study, conducted in two centers during two years. Each case presented separately regarding presentation, diagnosis and management. RESULTS: Four cases have been reported, age ranged from 14 to 42 years with mean age of 24.75 years. Three patients (75%) were male, one patient (25%) was female. Three cases (75%) had history of chest pain, 2 cases (50%) had palpitation, and one case (25%) had nausea, vomiting and fever. Echocardiography was the initial diagnostic test in 2 cases (50%), final diagnostic test in two cases (50%). In 3 cases (75%) the cyst was found in the left ventricle and one case (25%) in right ventricle. Median sternotomy was performed for all cases. CONCLUSION: Cardiac Hydatid cyst is a very rare disease. Chest pain is the most common symptom. Surgery is the main modality of treatment.

IgA deficiency associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. A cause or an effect?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of IgA in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We have tested serum IgA levels in patients with antibodies to HCV. DESIGN: A retrospective study. PATIENTS: The IgA levels were tested in serum samples from 94 patients with antibodies to HCV examined during 1989-1990. RESULTS: Low IgA levels were found in 16/94 (17%) patients. In three of these 16 patients (3.2% of the original 94), no IgA was detected by radial immunodiffusion. In nine of 16 patients, previous pre-HCV infection serum samples with undetectable anti-HCV antibodies were available. In four of these nine patients, IgA deficiency was found in the preinfection serum, while in the remaining five patients, previous IgA levels were normal and the occurrence of anti-HCV was associated with the recent development of IgA deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that IgA deficiency is a risk factor for HCV infection in some patients, whereas in others it might be caused by the viral disease.

Analysis of chromosomal aberrations in large hepatocellular carcinomas by comparative genomic hybridization.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very common and highly malignant tumor, associated mainly with chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of any cause, aflatoxin exposure and ethanol consumption. The aim of this study was to map genomic aberrations in HCC by a recently developed technique: comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We applied CGH on 17 liver specimens, of which seven were HCCs. The rest were benign liver tumors, cirrhotic and normal livers, and other liver malignancies. Our study included mainly large tumors (mean size 10.5 cm) unrelated to viral hepatitis or cirrhosis. Our CGH analysis detected genomic imbalances in 42% of HCCs. The common aberrations included DNA gains of 1q, 9p, and 8q and DNA losses of 17p, 13q, 9q, 4q, and 11q. Also, we detected trisomies 8, 9, 18 and 21, which have not been reported previously. Gains and losses of DNA found in this study probably involve oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that play a role in the puzzle of hepatocarcinogenesis. This study also suggests a possible link between the size of the tumor and the burden of genetic changes.