bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Cardiac Functions in Chronic kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Saeed Saeed Abdelwahab , Abd-elmobdy Ashraf Hassan , Hassan Ahmed Abd-elaziz Mohammed 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide and is associated with a considerable increase in morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular disease is most common cause of death among chronic kidney disease patients. There is an increasing interest in using vitamin D levels as a novel marker for CVD, because epidemiological data have shown a strong correlation between the risk of CVD and vitamin D deficiency.

Objectives
The aim of study was to determine the association between serum vitamin D level and cardiac functions assessed by tissue Doppler imaging in chronic kidney disease patients.

Patients and Methods
Our study conducted on 90 patients from outpatient clinic or inpatient department of national institute of nephrology and urology. All patients were subjected to full history, full clinical examination, laboratory investigations including: serum urea, serum albumin, complete blood picture, serum electrolytes (calcium and phosphorus), PTH, serum vitamin D, lipid profile and echocardiography and Tissue Doppler imaging.

Conclusion
Serum vitamin D is positively correlated with diastolic function among CKD patients, increased incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy in CKD patients especially with vitamin D deficiency, Tissue Doppler imaging is more accurate than echocardiography to estimate diastolic function.
The Role of Serum microRNA (hsa-miR-519d) And the Associated Target Gene (SQSTM1) As Diagnostic Biological Molecular Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Youssef Tarek Mohamed , Ibrahim Wesam Ahmed , El Nakeep Sarah Abdel Kader , Swilam Amina Ahmed Mahmoud 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. The mortality of liver cancer worldwide is ranked as fourth between other cancer causes in males and females. In Egypt, it is a major problem due to the high prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus infection.

Objective
To characterize the expression of new serum non-coding RNA microRNA (hsa-miR519d) and the associated target gene (SQSTM1) to evaluate their usefulness as diagnostic molecular biomarkers for HCC.

Patients and Methods
we assessed the expression of the microRNA (hsa-miR-519d-3p) and the mRNA of (SQSTM1) gene in serum samples from 50 participants: (34) HCC patients, (11) chronic liver infection patients and (5) normal volunteers, using Quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

Results
The results of both microRNA (miR-519d-3p) and mRNA of (SQSTM1) gene showed a significant upregulation of their serum level in the HCC group in comparison to chronic liver infection group. In addition, the results of the serum microRNA (miR-519d) and the messenger RNA of (SQSTM1) gene using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed higher sensitivity and specificity than that of AFP, as it was (91.2%-81.8%), (97.1%-100%) and (76.5%72.7%) respectively.

Conclusion
The serum microRNA (hsa-mir-519d-3p) and the serum mRNA of its targeted gene (SQSTM1) are both significantly upregulated in the serum of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. And that the (hsa-mir-519d-3p) stimulates the gene (SQSTM1) at the transcriptional level. Finally, we could conclude that the serum microRNA (hsa-mir-519d-3p) and the serum mRNA of (SQSTM1) gene can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for HCC with good sensitivity and specificity even for early stages of HCC in comparison with AFP.
Detection of Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients Who Achieved a Sustained Virologic Response to Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents
Authors: Yousef Tarek Mohamed , Kamal El Din Maha Mohsen Mohamed , George Tari Magdy Aziz , Mohamed Amr Adel Elzohary 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Occult infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is defined as the presence of the HCV genome in either liver tissue or peripheral blood monocytes, despite constant negative results from tests for HCV RNA in serum.

Objectives
The aim of the study to detect the prevalence of occult hepatitis C Virus infection in patients who achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) to direct-acting antiviral agents and to outline predictors of OCI.

Patients and Methods
This study included 100 patients with chronic HCV infection without liver cirrhosis attending to hepatitis C clinics at Ain Shams University Hospital, Ahmed Maher Teaching hospital and Elgomhorya Teaching Hospital.who received sofosbuvir (400mg) plus daclatasvir (60mg) daily for 12 weeks with or without ribavirin according to National committee to combat viral hepatitis (NCCVH) protocol.

Results
We tested peripheral blood for HCV RNA in PBMCs to detect OCI. Occult HCV was found positive in 12% of the studied cases. Occult HCV was positive more in male cases. Positive cases had significantly lower age, and higher total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST and ALT levels. Age had significant moderate diagnostic performance in predicting occult HCV, while direct bilirubin has significant low diagnostic performance in predicting occult HCV.

Conclusion
OCI following direct antiviral therapy may be present in some cases, and this may require further testing of patients with SVR particularly in younger male patients with persistantly high liver enzymes.
Vascular Endothelial growth factor A in HCV infected patients before and after treatment with DAAS and its possible relation to HCC development
Authors: Helal Essam M , Ibraheem Wesam A , Sayed Moataz M , Salama Mohamed M , EL Ghandour Ahmed M , Salama Ashraf B 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
HCC comprises 5.6% of all cancersworldwide representing the fifth most common cancer.It is also the second most common cause of cancer death.

Objective
To study the impact of DAAs on appearance of H.C.C in HCV infected patients.

Patients and Methods
After obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Department of Internal Medicine, Ain Shams University and written informed consent obtained from all patients, this cross-sectional study was performed in Suez canal authority hospitals (Outpatient Clinic and the Inpatient Ward), at Ismailia Egypt.Sample size on 50 patients divided into 25 cases and 25 controls.

Results
Our results w obtained and show that there was no statistically significant difference could be detected between HCV subdivided groups.There was statistically significant difference could be detected between HCC subdivided groups.

Conclusion
Angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of HCC. VEGF is aprimary driving force for both phisological and pathological angiogenesis and overexpression of VEGF is observed in HCC. Circulating levels of VEGF increase significantly remain high until end of treatment and decline to pretreatment level within 12 week of end of therapy.It has angiogenic properties. Elevated Circulating levels of VEGF after RF (radiofrequency) or TACE correlate with poor prognosis for patient with HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma).
Pregnancy Outcomes in A Group Egyptian Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cohort Study
Authors: Mohammed DF , Mansour HE , El-Feky AE , Hosny SM , Morad CS , Abdel-Zaher AT 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predominantly affects women of childbearing age thus pregnancy in lupus patients is a common clinical scenario. SLE adversely affects pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy leads to SLE flares

Aim of the work
Determining the frequencies and predictors of maternal and fetal pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE by a prospective cohort study

Patients and methods
seventy-one pregnant lupus patients were followed prospectively, and their data compared to age-matched pregnant healthy controls attending Ain Shams University Hospital clinics

Results
Thirteen Patients had activity at conception. Sixty-six(93%) Where on treatment. Flares occurred in 51 patients (72%) during pregnancy with nephritis being the most common occurring in 78%. The prevalence of anemia, AKI and hypertension (HTN) during pregnancy were higher in SLE group than control group (P &lt; 0.01). The rate of delivery by Cesarean section (CS), PTL, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia (PE), severe PE and HELLP were higher in SLE group then control group (P &lt; 0.01) as well as an increase in rate of postpartum infection (P &lt; 0.05). There was an increase in rate of fetal loss, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), NICU admission, still birth/intrauterine fetal death and highly significant decrease in fetal weight in SLE group than control group (P &lt; 0.01). Pregestational HTN was independently associated with PE (OR 91.228; CI 6.791-1225.538). Proteinuria and HTN during pregnancy were independently associated with prematurity (OR 14.162 CI 1.029-194.958 & OR 10.596, CI 1.460-76.894).

Conclusion
Pregnancy in lupus patients carries a higher risk of pregnancy morbidity and worse fetal outcomes than the controls.
Assessment of the prognostic impact of serum level of soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD155) in newly diagnosed Low grade cell Non Hodgjen Lymphoma in Adult Egyptian patients
Authors: Azzazi Mohamed Osman , Hegab Hany Mohamed Abd-Allah , Nabih Abd El-Ghafar Nermeen Adel , Melek Mary Gamal Nageb , Ahmed Dina Mostafa Fahmy 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
CD155-dependent signals not only influenced net tumor growth but also responsiveness to immune checkpoint therapies. Thus, blocking CD155 could be a rational strategy to improve current immunotherapeutic

Aim of the work
To assess CD155 in newly diagnosed Low grade B non Hodgkin Lymphomas as prognostic marker for remission

Patients and methods
CD 155 measured by Ellisa at the time of diagnosis of 50 patients newly diagnosed low grade B non Hodgjen Lymphomas and the remission status followed up prospectively at 3 and 6 months in hematology unit at Ain Shams University Hospital

Results
there were high statistically significant difference between CD155 level and cytogenetic risk and Eligibility for auto transplantation, there were statistically significant difference between CD155 level and B symptoms, there were high statistically significant difference between CD155 level and Radiology stage, BM infiltation, protocol after 3months, There were high statistically significant difference between CD155 level and Radiology stage, BM infiltration, CBC after 6 months There were high statistically significant difference between CD155 level and non Remission and CD155 had Sensitivity88.46% and Specificity75% as poor predictor of remission

Conclusion
The CD155 level is prognostic factors for remission in Low grade B non Hodgkin Lymphomas as high CD155 level is poor prognostic factors for response and remission with Sensitivity 88.46%and Specificity75. %
The Role of Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) in Prediction of Response to New Direct Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAAS) in Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Elmalatawy Mohammed Abd Elfattah , Elqarmoty Khaled Zakaria , Rasmy Hany Samir , Abdelwarth Ebrahim Youssef 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Hepatitis c virus is global health burden and major health hazard in Egypt, since the virus is the etiological factor of chronic hepatitis that frequently progress to a cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, HCV is thought to cause metabolic alterations, including steatosis, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance (IR), diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular events.

Objective
To determine the value of RPB4 in the prediction of response to new DAAS treatment in chronic HCV infected patients and to correlate its level with the metabolic profile and fibrosis degree among chronic HCV

Patients and Methods
This study was Prospective cohort clinical study that was conducted at hepatology and virology outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University Hospital &Hepatology and virology outpatient clinic at Kafr –El Sheikh liver institute from January 2019 to October 2019 after informed consent.

Results
The present study showed that the best level of RBP4 in prediction of hepatic fibrosis stage 4 was ≤ 46 pg/ml and had sensitivity of 100% while the specificity was 66.67%.The positive predictive value was 50%while the negative predictive value was 100% and test accuracy was 80.5%.

Conclusion
Serum RBP4 was found to be higher in chronic hepatitis C naïve patients than normal person; there was significant reduction of RBP4 post treatment. Fibroscan showed marked reduction of fibrosis degree after treatment with Directly acting antiviral in both cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients regardless the treatment regimen used with improved overall liver function tests, liver enzymes and platelet count in patients who reached SVR and maintained negative PCR after treatment.
Nail Fold Capillaroscopy in a Cohort of Egyptian Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis Patients
Authors: Mansour Howaida Elsayed , Ibrahim Shafica Ibrahim , Hussein Safaa Abdelsalam Aly , Azrag Gamer Abdelrahman 
Published: October 2021

ABASTRACT

Background
Nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) has been demonstrated to be an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and systemic sclerosis. However, NC has been scarcely studied in adult patients with DM.

Objectives
Is to visualize capillary changes in DM/PM patients, trying to find a specific capillary pattern and its correlation if any- with disease activity in those patients.

Methodology
This is a cross sectional observational study included 20 patients (DM.Diagnosed on base of clinical, laboratory and histopathological findings. We excluded patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus. The NFC performed using videocapillaroscope. A semiquantitative rating scale was used to score capillaroscopy changes. Myositis disease activity assessment tools were used to assess disease activity [Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), Myositis Disease Activity Assessment Visual Analogue Scales (MYOACT), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), physician’s VAS, patient’s VAS, skin scoring, serum muscle enzymes levels]

Result
The median age of our patients was 36 (S.D.12) Mean disease duration was 24months (S.D.19).The results presented mean value 3,8 (S.D.3,3) for muscle disease activity score,2(S.D.3) for skin score and 3,92 (S.D.3,09) for global disease activity .Enlarged capillaries was found in12 patients (100%), avascular areas in 10 patients (83.3%), capillaries hemorrhage in 8 patients (66,7%), and branched capillaries in 6 patients (50%).Sixteen patient (80%) had scleroderma like pattern. We found that disease activity positively correlate with branched capillaries(p = 0,04), muscle disease activity correlate positively with capillaries density score(p = 0,002) while hemorrhage correlate positively with skin score(p = 0,024). In our study major capillaroscopic abnormalities appeared to be virtually confined to patients with DM while patients with PM had only minor changes. No signifcant correlations between NFC and other demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were observed.

Conclusion
NFC may provide helpful information about patients with PM/DM by: (a) contributing to the diagnosis and (b) correlating with disease activity parameters. Additional investigations with larger series of patients and prospective studies may be useful to reinforce our data.
Relation of Lactobacilli acidophilus to Obesity in Egyptian Population
Authors: Hany Hany Naser Abbas , Eltouny Maha Abdelaziz Ahmed , Riad George Safwat , Mohammed Rasha Samir 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Current considerations are existed about the sharing role of gut microbiota in the enhancement of obesity and its allied comorbidities

Objective
The aim of this observational case-control study was to assess the possible relation of lactobacilli acidophilus to obesity in a sample of Egyptian population by realtime PCR of lactobacilli acidophilus in stool.

Subjects and methods
The present study enrolled 20 healthy slim subjects and 40 subjects who had BMI &gt;25 kg/m2. Routine laboratory analysis and identification of stool Lactobacillus acidophilus by quantitative real time PCR technique was performed for all enrolled subjects.

Results
Lactobacillus acidophilus was expressed in 21 out of 40 (52.5%) faecal samples of obese cases and 16 out of 20 (80%) of faecal samples of non-obese cases. In rest of samples in both studied groups, the expression was below the detection limit. The results showed that the mean CT at which Lactobacilli were expressed in the obese cases was (38.89±2.57) compared to (36.08±4.63) in non-obese cases and this indicated that the expression of lactobacilli was statistically higher in non-obese subjects compared to obese cases (P = 0.04).

Conclusion
Lactobacillus acidophilus was significantly lowered in obese Egyptian patients. The argument about the significance of correlation between imbalance in gut microbiota and obesity is considered one of the hottest open topics in medicine.
Femoral Cartilage Thickness in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Its Relation to Vitamin D
Authors: Farouk Hanan Mohamed , Badr Fatma Mohammed , El Monem Teama Mohammed Abd , El-Deen Mohammed Aref Hazem Mohey 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by different degrees of skin fibrosis and visceral organ involvement. The etiology of SSc remains obscure; the disease appears to be the result of a multistep and multifactorial process, including immune system alterations, under the influence of genetic and exogenous factors. The aim of this work is to study levels of vitamin D in relation to the femoral cartilage thickness (FCT) in patients with SSc and to analyze the associations between the (FCT), vitamin D levels, SSc- disease severity score.

Patients and methods
This is a cross sectional study which included 40 adult systemic sclerosis patients diagnosed according to ACR/EULAR (2013) classification criteria of systemic sclerosis. Patients were categorized into two groups according to vitamin D sufficiency; Group I: n = 14, sufficient vitamin D (level ≥ 30 ng/ml), Group II: n = 26, insufficient vitamin D (level &lt; 30 ng/ml). Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) were assessed by (ELISA). The thickness of femoral articular cartilage was measured by muscloskeletal ultrasound. Three measurements were taken from each knee: lateral femoral condyle (LFC), femoral intercondylar area (ICA) and medial femoral condyle (MFC).

Results
The majority of patients (60%) had thin femoral cartilage of knee joint, we found that (35%) of patients had sufficient vitamin D level while (65%) of patients had insufficient vitamin D level. We compared the insufficient vitamin D level group with sufficient vitamin D level group according to femoral cartilage thickness, and concluded that vitamin D level related to femoral cartilage thickness at left medial condylar area and left lateral condyle, meanwhile we found no relation between disease severity and cartilage thickness or vitamin D level. There was significant relation between vitamin D sufficiency and sex of studied patients more in females, also showed significant inverse correlation between parity in females and femoral cartilage thickness at Rt intercondylar area and Rt medial condyle. There was highly significant statistical relation between disease severity grades and proximal muscle weakness among studied patients.

Conclusion
Vitamin D level has significant relation with femoral cartilage thickness in SSc patients in two of six of measured cartilage areas and proximal muscle weakness was associated with vitamin D insufficiency and disease severity.
Assessment of the association between neuropeptide Y and chronic kidney disease progression
Authors: Saeed Saeed Abdel Wahab , Abdelaziz Haitham Ezzat , Teama Nahla Mohamed , Abouelsaad Hend Ahmed 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a sympathetic neurotransmitter with wide-ranging effects in various organ systems, from the central nervous system (CNS) to the cardiovascular (CV) system, the bone and the renal system. There is a strong association between serum concentration of NpY and deterioration of eGFR and proteinuria as suggested by recent studies [1,2], however, its real effect on chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is uncertain.

Purpose of the study
Assess the relationship between NpY and progression of CKD.

Settings and Design
An observational, prospective case-control study of thirty CKD adult patients and thirty healthy control adult subjects.

Methods and Material
All participants were conducted to renal function tests (serum creatinin, blood urea, serum Na, K, P and Ca and calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate), complete blood count, urinary protein/creatinin ratio, serum NpY and pelvi-abdominal ultrasonography at baseline and repeated for the patients only after six months as follow up.

Statistical analysis used
Statistical presentation and analysis of the present study was conducted, using the mean, standard deviation, student t-test, Paired t-test, Chi-square, Linear Correlation Coefficient and Analysis of variance [ANOVA] tests by SPSS V17.

Results
The mean of serum NpY was 438.333 ± 206.850 at baseline then became 630.667 ± 264.926 after follow up. Urinary PCR ranged from 0.2- 3.1 at baseline to 0.2- 2 after six months. The patients’ group mean eGFR was 36.900±17.851 and became 31.373±17.852 ml/min/1.73m2.

Conclusion
Serum NpY could be a useful marker that can be used as diagnostic and progression predictor for CKD.
Role of Nail Fold Capillaroscopy as A Method of Early Detection of Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
Authors: Farouk Hanan Mohamed , Mohamed Rasha Mahmoud , Aboud Fatma Mohammad , Hussein Huda Taha 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease as a consequence Systemic Lupus Erythematosis is a common and dangerous complication in patients with SLE. However, since the prevalence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease is variable and increasing by time, universal screening would imply a large number of unnecessary carotid Doppler.

Objective
To study the early prediction of atherosclerosis and the cardiovascular risk in SLE patients by Nail fold capillaroscopy and the Intima media thickness of the Carotid artery.

Patients and Methods
All Patients were subjected to full history taking, full clinical examination, laboratory investigations, carotid Doppler and nail fold capillaroscopy. In this study, we prospectively collected data on 30 consecutive patients referred to Ain Shams University hospitals and The National Research Institute.

Results
However, nail fold changes was significantly higher in patients with IM thickness changes indicative of atherosclerosis with SLE: it was proved to be highly sensitive and adequately specific in predicting the atherosclerosis in those patients.

Conclusion
IM thickness and nail fold capillaroscopy could be used as a guiding noninvasive screening tool in patients with SLE to predict the atherosclerosis and CV risk. Nail fold changes is correlated to the atherosclerotic changes happening in SLE patients. These results may lead to a reduction in the number of SLE patients with undiagnosed atherosclerosis and CV risk. Nail fold capillarscopy may also help alleviate the financial and disinfection burdens of radiology units as well as the medical costs associated with atherosclerosis and CV risk. Nail fold capillaroscopy can be used as a screening tool before doing carotid Doppler.