NCT01880619.

Purpose: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells with cytokines playing an important role. Current study aimed at measuring serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D [25 (OH) D] level in patients with AA in comparison to controls in our locality. Subjects and methods: The study recruited 50 subjects, 30AA patients and 20 controls. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking and examination to detect pattern, severity (SALT score) of AA. Blood samples were taken from all subjects to do complete blood count and to assess serum levels of 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, random blood sugar, and calcium. Results: There was significant decrease in serum 25(OH)D level in AA patients in comparison to controls. Serum 25(OH)D level showed significant decrease in males than in females in patients. Levels of serum calcium were significantly lower in patient group compared to control group with. Regarding blood picture; the only significant difference was in the count of RBCs which showed significant lower levels in AA group compared to control group. Positive linear correlation was found between serum vitamin D and serum calcium in the patients group. Strong positive correlation was found between SALT score and duration of the disease. All patients with total scalp hair loss and body hair loss had duration of disease more than six months, while most of patients with duration of disease less than six months had low SALT scores. Conclusions: Serum levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower in patients than controls.

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A urethral controlled bladder substitute was constructed from a detubularized, double folded ileal segment in 40 male patients following cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer. For reflux prevention patients were prospectively randomized to receive either an intussuscepted nipple valve or the ureters were implanted by the Le Duc mucosal trough technique. All patients had normal upper tracts preoperatively. Mean patient age, performance status and stage of cancer were comparable in both groups. Patients were evaluated 6 to 18 months postoperatively. In addition to history taking, assessment included excretory urography, ascending cystography and voiding cystourethrography. During the observation period all patients with nipple valves had normal radiographic appearance of the upper tracts without evidence of reflux. On the other hand, following the Le Duc procedure 12 of 38 renal units (31%) showed evidence of radiographic dilatation. Of the 12 units 11 had stenotic ureters and 1 had reflux. We conclude that nipple valves are more effective in reflux prevention and protection of the upper urinary tract in patients for whom an ileal neobladder is indicated.

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