A Study of the Effect of Alcohol on Liver Function Tests
S. OLOGE
School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
0.0. OGUNTIBEJU
School of Health Technology, Technikon Free State. Bloemfontein, South Africa
Abstract
The effect of alcohol on fasting blood glucose (GLU), serum protein ((PRT), Cholesterol (CHL), and liver enzymes:
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) including AST/ALT ratio were studied
in three groups of subjects: alcoholics, mild alcohol drinkers and the control (abstainers). These parameters were determined in all
groups at baseline level, 15 minutes and six months later in mild drinkers following alcohol consumption.
There were significant differences (P<0.0001) between alcoholics and the other groups. The immediate effect of alcohol
consumption by mild drinkers was compared to the abstainers' group and showed a significant (P<0.001) increase in the activities
of AST and ALT. A prolonged consumption of alcohol under experimental conditions resulted in a significant increase in all
variables for mild drinkers (P<0.01) and alcoholics (P<0.0001). The effect of prolonged alcohol consumption was immediately
evident in alcoholics and only after six months in mild drinkers. No significant change was observed in the concentrations of glucose,
protein and cholesterol, or in die activities of ALP and AST/ALT ratio (P>0.05) in a single moderate oral dose by mild drinkers,
hence, the results from this study suggests that AST and ALT are more sensitive as a diagnostic tool of alcoholic status in terms of
immediate and long-term exposures.
A Method for Estimating Blood Lead Levels Post-humously
F. THEUNISSEN
Dept. Oral Pathology, School for Oral Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa
S. GROBLER
Oral and Dental Research Unit, School for Oral Health Sciences, University of
Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, S.A.
Summary
Lead exposure is normally determined by analysing whole blood. A review of the literature show that no attempt has yet been made to
determine relationships of lead levels in whole blood and different parts of teeth. There is no turn-over of the calcified tooth structure
and once deposited, it is never replaced. Lead is continuously deposited in circumpulpal dentine and this makes teeth the ideal
tissue in which to determine historical exposure to lead. Blood lead levels are an indicator of recent exposure, but can vary and is not
very reliable. This is due to the short half-life time of lead.
The purpose of this study was: (1) to determine the lead concentrations in various parts of human teeth (enamel, dentine
and circumpulpal dentine) and in blood of a remote rural South African community. (2) to investigate the relationship of the lead
levels in the various parts of teeth and blood and (3) to estimate blood lead levels in other studies from reported teeth lead levels.
Primary teeth and blood were collected from forty-eight (48) children and analysed by graphite furnace atomic
absorptiometry. The following median levels (expressed in parts per million) were
found: blood=0,025, enamel=0,25, dentine=2,04 and circumpulpal dentine =6,71.
The tooth lead levels were similar to other studies from remote rural areas. Since no lead levels for blood were reported, it is not
possible to make any comparisons. Based on findings in this study, it is now possible to calculate ratios and estimate blood levels
reported by other workers.
Detection of Human Papillomavirus in an Amplified SNO Oesophageal Carcinoma Genomic Library
D.H. HAWKINS and H. ABRAHAMSE
Technikon Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein, Johannesburg
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus is one of the most common fatal cancers worldwide. South Africa is one of the
world leaders regarding the incidence of oesophageal cancer where the well-defined areas of the Eastern Cape are rated as the second
highest in the world. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated as a possible aetiological factor in the development of
squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. The SNO oesophageal SCC genomic library represents the genome of a
Black South African male suffering from oesophageal cancer. The cell line was designated with the abbreviation SNO where S and N
represent the patients initials from which the oesophageal squamous carcinoma was taken and where
O represents oesophageal cancer.
Recombinant phage DNA prepared from the amplified SNO genomic library was used for PCR amplification. PCR amplification
for HPV 16 yielded a 130 base pair (bp) and 121 bp amplicon that showed a 90% and 99,2% sequence homology to the NCBI HPV
type 16, complete genome. PCR amplification, direct sequencing, dot blot analysis and Southern blotting of recombinant phage
DNA confirmed the presence of HPV 16 in the amplified SNO genomic library. As the genomic library was constructed using the
λgt11 expression vector, expression was induced and antibodies were used to detect HPV 16 E6 and HPV 18 E6 protein
expression. Dot blots of crude lysate showed no HPV 16 E6 and HPV 18 E6 protein expression and Western
blotting did not demonstrate the HPV E6 and p53 protein complex.
HPV integration may have an early role in causing oesophageal cancer, possibly in combination with additional risk factors, which
may cause p53 degradation or p53 mutation, which is able to continue the cancer phenotype in the absence of HPV protein
expression.
Neuropsychological Assessment versus Neuro-imaging in the Diagnosis of Cerebral Lesions: An Explorative Study
R. SCHOEMAN, D. LOUW
Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
Abstract
Certain authors emphasize that, as neuro-imaging techniques seem to be significantly superior, psychological assessment techniques
have no place in neurological assessment, and that the reliability and validity of these techniques, regarding the presence and
localization of cerebral damage, are questionable. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of
neuro-psychological assessment in the diagnosis and localization of cerebral lesions, compared to magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI). An availability sample of patients was taken from patients whom neurologists and neurosurgeons had seen and who had either a
normal MRI or a MRI with localized lesions. They were then assessed by means of the South African Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale, the Folstein's Mini Mental State Examination, the Bender Gestalt Test and the Grassi Block Substitution Test.
The test results were interpreted blindly. The findings are discussed, shortcomings of the study mentioned and recommendations made.