Background PTEN gene triggers cells to undergo apoptosis and promotes myocardial dysfunction. Several TNF family cytokines are elevated during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Their role in predicting subsequent prognosis in these setting remains poorly understood. We assessed serum levels of PTEN gene activity & TNF-α in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and determined the impact of their levels on both left ventricular function and the clinical outcome in these patients. Methods and results Seventy patients with AMI and seventy persons as control group were subjected to: ECG, echocardiography, serum TNF-α and PTEN gene assessment. Patients were classified into: Group I (n = 32): All had left ventricular systolic failure. Group II (n = 38): without left ventricular systolic failure. Group I had a statistically significant higher serum levels of both TNF-α & PTEN gene activity as compared to group II. EF% at presentation was weakly correlated with serum levels of both markers in both groups. However at follow up, EF% in group I showed a significant negative correlations with both serum levels of TNF-α and PTEN gene activity (r = 0.77 & r = 0.67, respectively). During one year follow, 5 patients died of cardiovascular causes and 6 patients had recurrent hospitalization with heart failure. These patients had statistically significant increased serum levels of TNF-α & PTEN gene activity levels as compared by other patients. Conclusions Patients with acute myocardial infarction had statistically significant increased serum levels of PTEN & TNF-α gene activity. Both markers predict worsening of left ventricular systolic functions, development of heart failure and death.

Makhlouf AM, Fathalla MM, Zakhary MA, Makarem MH. Sulfatides in ovarian tumors: clinicopathological correlates. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2004;14:89-93.Objectives: To investigate the expression of sulfatides in the tissue homogenates of malignant ovarian tumors, benign ovarian tumors, and control tissues and to study the relation between this marker and other clinico-pathological criteria such as the tumor type, grade of differentiation, surgical stage and ovulatory years. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting:

ObjectivesTo investigate the expression of sulfatides in the tissue homogenates of malignant ovarian tumors, benign ovarian tumors, and control tissues and to study the relation between this marker and other clinico-pathological criteria such as the tumor type, grade of differentiation, surgical stage and ovulatory years.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biochemistry, Assuit university hospital.SubjectsForty-six patients had malignant ovarian tumors. Sixteen patients had benign ovarian neoplasm. Thirty patients, with normal ovaries, represented the control group.MethodsA sample of the tumor or from the normal ovary (the control group) was sent for histopathological and biochemical examination. Sulfatides were measured by a rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method.ResultsThere was a significant rise in benign tumors [median and range 43 (38–53)], than in the control group, 21 (18–31), P-value = 0.000. In malignant tumors, the median value of sulfatides was significantly higher than in benign tumors [127 (71–193), P-value = 0.000]. Sulfatides were significantly higher in patients with more ovulatory years and tumors of advanced stages (stage III/IV) and poor differentiation.ConclusionsSulfatides may play a role in the pathogenesis of benign and malignant ovarian tumors. It may also predict advanced stages in patients who are apparently early stage. It is also a candidate to study of their association with response to chemotherapy.

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