Purpose : To evaluate leptin levels in a sample of obese women with PCOS and compare the results with obese and non-obese control, to be ultimately correlated with BMI, and insulin sensitivity. Methods : Leptin and insulin assays by immuno-radiometric method, glucose assay by enzymatic colorimetric method. Results : Leptin levels were significantly different between obese and non-obese subjects, and were significantly different between insulin resistant and non-insulin resistant obese PCOS, but were not significantly different between obese non-insulin resistant PCOS, and obese controls. Conclusions : Body mass index and insulin resistance are the two main factors governing serum leptin levels.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss is multifactorial involving clinical and biological risk factors. Evidence addressed the association of inherited thrombophilia with recurrent pregnancy loss and other serious pregnancy complications. However, the relation between thrombophilia associated gene mutations and adverse obstetric outcome is controversial and data in the literature are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of thrombophilia associated gene mutations (factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene G20210A and methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase MTHFR C677T) in relation to recurrent miscarriage.Methods: Case control study conducted on 200 women recruited from Elshatby Maternity Hospital clinics. The cases group included 100 women with history of three or more unexplained consecutive pregnancy losses, while 100 healthy age matched women with no history of recurrent miscarriages served as controls. Blood samples were collected from all women enrolled in the study for DNA extraction and genotype analysis. Factor V, prothrombin and MTHFR gene mutations were assayed based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse-hybridization.Results: The prevalence of Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene G20210A mutations did not differ significantly between cases and controls. However, MTHFR C667T mutations and the total prevalence of the three gene mutations were significantly increased in the patients group compared to controls (p=0.001, p=0.003 respectively). The prevalence of combined thrombophilia of Factor V Leiden and MTHFR C677T was significantly increased in the patients group compared to controls (p=0.032). Regarding homozygosity of each of the gene mutations, no homozygosity was detected in controls and heterozygotes were significantly increased in the patients group compared to homozygotes.Conclusions: MTHFR mutations and the total prevalence of the three gene mutations were significantly increased in the patients group compared to controls. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of combined thrombophilia (Factor V Leiden and MTHFR C677T) in the patients group compared to controls without involvement of prothrombin gene.

17522 Background: Occurrence and biological characteristics of tumors are related not only to over-proliferation of carcinoma cells but also to decrease of apoptosis. Investigation of apoptosis helps to disclose the biological characteristics of tumors, and seeks new methods of diagnosis and treatment for tumors. In this study, we analyzed the level of some antioxidant enzymes in various leukemic patients including SOD. Methods: To investigate the involvement of apoptosis regulating proteins in acute leukemias, immunocytochemical examination of Mcl-1 and Bax proteins expression was investigated in two groups of patients, one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the other with acute myeloid leukemia(AML). Moreover, the free radicals utilizing enzymes were sought including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and catalase (CAT), in addition to malonaldhyde (MDH), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione content (GSH). Results: The obtained results showed a significant difference of SOD, GSH-PX, CAT, MDH, NO, and GSH levels in the leukemia patients (AML, ALL) compared to control group (P<0.001 for each comparison). On the other hand, there was a significant difference of SOD, GSH-PX, MDH, NO, and GSH levels in the AML group compared to ALL patients (P<0.001 for each comparison). In AML patients, a significant positive correlation was existed between SOD and GSH-PX (r=0.684, P<0.001) and a negative correlation was existed between catalase and MDH (r=-0.419, P<0.019). Mcl-1 expression was found positive in ten ALL patients out of 31(32.3%) versus 17 out of 31 (54.8%) in AML patients. Concerning Bax reactivity, only seven cases (22.6%) were positive in ALL patients versus 11 cases (35.5%) in AML patients. In ALL patients, a positive correlation was found between Mcl-1 and Bax expressions (r=0.453, P=0.011). Conclusions: Our results collectively reflect remarkable differences between AML and ALL suggesting different mechanisms underlying their formation and their progression. Mcl-1 and Bax expressions relating to the programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis in addition to the anti-oxidant status are deregulated mechanisms that contribute in the pathobiology of ALL differently from AML. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

From this study we can conclude the following: 1. EZH2 in exon 16 is recurrently mutated in DLBCL. 2. Multiple novel mutations have been detected in exon 16 including missense and non-coding mutations. 3. EZH2 mutations seem to be a pathogenetic mechanism in DLBCL development.In conclusion, our data support the implementation in the clinic of the analysis of recurrent somatic mutations of EZH2 to diagnose and guide salvage therapy based on molecular targets.

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