Plasma amyloid β levels in Alzheimer's disease and cognitively normal controls in Syrian population.

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is believed to be occurred by the production of neurotic plaques of the beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and deposition of them. Therefore, biomarkers of abnormal Aβ processing may represent before the AD clinical biomarkers, which could be benefit for a successful disease management that may prevent the AD development. The aim of this study is to investigate of plasma Aβ40,42 levels in Alzheimer's patients in Syria and thus determine whether they may have a potential role as biomarker for identifying and predicting AD.

Genotype/Phenotype Correlation of β-Thalassemia in Syrian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

β-Thalassemia (β-thal) is an inherited blood disorder caused by reduced or absent synthesis of β-globin chains leading to imbalance of globin chain synthesis. β-Thalassemia (β-thal), refers to the complete absence of β-globin chain production on the affected allele. β-Thalassemia (β-thal) refers to alleles with some residual production of β-globin chain.

Description of a rare β-globin gene mutation, IVS-II-848 (C>A) (: c.316-3C>A) in association with IVS-I-1 (G>A) (: c.92 + 1G>A), observed in a Syrian family: a case report.

β-Thalassemia (β-thal) is a hereditary and heterogeneous group of disorders caused by mutations on the β-globin gene that result in the reduced or non production of β-globin chains. We report a rare β-globin mutation, IVS-II-848 (C>A) (: c.316-3C>A), which was found in a female Syrian patient.

Association of KCNJ11 rs5219 gene polymorphism with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a population of Syria: a case-control study.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is believed to be a polygenic disorder that develops as a result of a complex interaction between multiple genes and environmental factors. KCNJ11 gene encodes a Kir6.2 protein which forms the inner section of the potassium channels in pancreatic beta cells.

Elevated dimethylglycine in blood of children with congenital heart defects and their mothers.

Objective: Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) may be related to nutritional deficiencies affecting the methylation cycle. We aimed to study the metabolic markers of the betaine homocysteine methyl transferase (BHMT) pathway in children with CHD and their mothers compared to children without CHD and their mothers.

Materials And Methods: Children with CHD (n=105, age < 3 years) and mothers of 80 of the affected children were studied.

CK2 and the regulation of the carbohydrate metabolism.

Protein kinase CK2 was originally identified by analyzing carbohydrate metabolism. Now it is clear that life without CK2 is impossible. Moreover, CK2 activity was found elevated in rapidly proliferating cells when compared to slowly proliferating or resting cells.

CK2 phosphorylation of Pdx-1 regulates its transcription factor activity.

The duodenal homeobox-1 protein Pdx-1 is one of the regulators for the transcription of the insulin gene. Pdx-1 is a phosphoprotein, and there is increasing evidence for the regulation of some of its functions by phosphorylation. Here, we asked whether protein kinase CK2 might phosphorylate Pdx-1 and how this phosphorylation could be implicated in the functional regulation of Pdx-1.

Pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor-1 and diabetes mellitus type 2 (review).

The homeobox domain transcription factor PDX-1 is essential for pancreatic development and for the maintenance of beta-cell function. The participation of pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor-1 (PDX-1) in the transcription of several genes which are essential for glucose sensing and insulin synthesis underlines its key role in beta-cells of the pancreas. PDX-1 binds to the promoter of insulin, glucose transporter 2, and glucokinase and regulates their expression.

Serum levels of lipids and lipoproteins in Syrian patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Objective: Evaluation serum lipids, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B and total antioxidant status (TAS) in syrian patients with beta-thalassemia major.

Methods: This study was carried out at Damascus University (Biochemical Laboratories of Medicine and Pharmacy Colleges), Syria between May 2002 and April 2003. This study included 30 patients with beta-thalassemia major, aged between 1.