Stem cell factor (SCF) has recently been identified as a multi-potential growth factor that acts on early different progenitor cells of various lineages and triggers its biologic effects by binding to its receptor, c-Kit. The main aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of SCF in bladder cancer patients, and its possible relation with clinical course of disease. The serum SCF level was determined in bladder cancer patients, as our subject cases. The study group consisted of 35 bladder cancer patients and 35 healthy individuals as controls. The samples were prepared in two separated times, before operation and 23 months after surgery. The achieved data were compared with serum SCF level in healthy controls. In addition, we tested relationship of it with cancer stage and grade as well as with CBC parameters. Serum SCF was measured, using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Serum SCF levels in bladder cancer patients were not significantly different from those of healthy controls (p=0.5). Furthermore, in bladder cancer cases, the preoperative and postoperative serum SCF levels were not significantly different (p=0.889). Serum SCF levels were not associated with pathological indicatory, including cancer stage and grade, as well as with CBC parameters. According to the results, it is suggested that serum SCF levels were not significantly different from that in healthy controls, besides serum SCF levels were not associated with cancer stage and grade as well as CBC parameters. In this way, SCF may not be used as a remarkable predictor of bladder cancer recurrence and pathological indicator.

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To study association of dietary intake of food groups in breast cancer patients and normal subjects. The study was conducted on 148 breast cancer patients and 149 control subjects, randomly selected and distributed among six age groups and three socio- economic statuses.The subjects were selected from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Lahore, during April to August, 2000. Intakes of various nutrients were assessed from information on past 5-8 years by food frequency questionnaire and food composition tables. The data showed that percentage of breast cancer patients was low below the age group of 25 (0.67%) and above the age group of 65 (10.13%). It was significantly higher between the age groups of 55-65 (16.9%) and 25-33 (14.2%). Most of the breast cancer cases were observed between the ages of 35-45 (26.4%) and 45-55 (31.7%) years. Breast cancer patients showed higher percentage in low (43.9%) and middle (39.9%) socio-economic statuses than the high socio-economic status. Results also revealed that dietary energy (kcal/day) was significantly higher in the age groups of 25-35 (1280) and above 65 (1207) of control subjects than breast cancer patients in which the values were 1262 and 1192 kcal/day, respectively. Differences in the intake of dietary proteins and fats among various age groups of breast cancer patients and controls were non-significant. However, intake of carbohydrate (g/day) was significantly more above the age group of 65 in controls (196.83) as compared to breast cancer patients (185.85). While, all other age groups showed non-significant differences. The percentage of intake of butter (40.54%) and fried foods were found to be higher in breast cancer patients than controls (20.3%). Positive correlation was observed between dietary fats and carbohydrate (g/day) in all age groups of breast cancer patients and controls except above 65 years of age group in controls which showed negative correlation between these nutrients. Fats (g/day) and protein also showed positive correlation in all age groups of breast cancer patients and controls. The intakes of nutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) have not been found to contribute to the risk of breast cancer together with family history, breast feeding, contraceptives and menstrual abnormalities.

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Echocardiographic data from 168 normal (1875 years of age) were pooled and analyzed to obtain normal echocardiographic values in the Arab people. The purpose of this study was to measure the normal values of left ventricular mass (LVM) in Arab people and to compare them with values obtained in Europe and North America.
LVM was estimated by M-mode echocardiography in normal male and female subjects. These values were related to age, sex, height, weight and body surface area. In men (N=82) the LVM was 186±34 grams (mean±SD). Data showed significant correlation between LVM with weight, body surface area (p<0.05), but not significantly associated with height and age (p>0.05). In female (N=86) the LVM value was 168±17 grams (mean±SD). Data also showed significant correlation of LVM with weight, body surface area and also with age (p<0.05) but not with height. Our results demonstrated that values of LVM in the Arab people are not different from values obtained in other parts of the world including Europe and North America. More studies are still essential in different Arab countries.

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Gastric perforation is a rare abdominal catastrophe with a high mortality, usually occurring in neonatal intensive care unit setting (1).
We report a premature neonate with extensive gastric perforation located in the greater curvature. As a result of necrosis in the rims of rupture, significant gastric resection was performed.

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Lp(a) is recognized as an independent risk factor for premature atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. In renal failure, studies revealed an increase in plasma concentration of Lp(a), present study aimed to evaluate the effects of plasma Lp(a) levels on early structural atherosclerotic vascular changes in a group of end-stage renal failure patients under regular hemodialysis.
Sixty one unselected patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), undergoing maintenance hemodialysis treatment between September 2002 and December 2003 were examined, serum lipoprotein(a) was measured, using B-mode ultrasonography carotid-intimae-media thickness (IMT) measured as well as carotid-femoral plaques (plaque score) were determined.
Total patients (23 females, 38 males) consist 50 non-diabetic hemodialysis patients (20 females, 30 males), and 11 diabetic hemodialysis patients (3 females, 8 males). Mean±SD of Lp(a) of total patients were 58.5±19 mg/dl, for diabetic group were 62±12.3 mg/dl and for non-diabetic group were 57.7±20 mg/dl. In this study there were, more thickening of intimae-media complex in diabetic group, positive association of plaque score with ages and DM, positive correlation of carotid-IMT with carotid-femoral plaque score, positive correlation of serum Lp(a) with carotid-IMT and carotid-femoral plaque score. No significant difference of Lp(a) between diabetic and non-diabetic HD patients was found.
Diabetic hemodialysis patients had more accelerated atherosclerosis, lipoprotein(a) as a non-traditional factor in progression of atherosclerosis, can have a role in acceleration of rapid progressive atherosclerosis seen in these patients.

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The effect of chronic consumption of fresh and heated red palm oil (RO) on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation was investigated. Thirty male rats were divided into 3 groups, each treated with the following prescribed food: (i) basal diet fortified with 15% weight/weight (w/w) fresh red palm oil (FRO), or (ii) heated once red palm oil (1H-RO) or (iii) heated 5 times red palm oil (5H-RO) for 20 weeks. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in MDA concentration in all 3 groups compared to their respective baseline concentrations and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total cholesterol (TC) concentration. However, the transient changes observed in serum triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol concentration did not attain significant values.
The LDL-cholesterol concentration in 5H-RO group increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to pretreatment value, FRO and 1H-RO groups. Ratio of TC/HDL in 5H-RO group initially increased, but dropped to baseline level at the end of the study. There was no significant difference in the ratio of TC/HDL between the groups.
In conclusion, both fresh and heated RO appeared comparable in their effect on serum cholesterol and lipid peroxidation. It appears that long term feeding with fresh and heated RO did not have an adverse effect on serum TG, HDL and TC/HDL ratio. However, it appears that prolonged heating increases LDL-cholesterol level. Further studies are required to ascertain whether the increase in LDLcholesterol and MDA with heated oil would render it more atherogenic.

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