bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of retinol-binding protein-4, fibroblast growth factor-21, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 in relation to obesity and insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Egyptian patients
Authors: Ghanem Ayat I. , Bassyouni Atef A. , Omar Ghada A. 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
The relation between obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance (IR) shows that adipose tissue plays a significant secretory role. Adipokines such as retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4), fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) exhibit pleiotropic biological activities and might be valuable biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aims to assess serum levels of RBP-4, FGF21, and DPP4 and correlate their relation with obesity and IR in Egyptian patients with T2DM.

Patients and methods
This study included 130 patients with T2DM (70 obese and 60 nonobese) enrolled from the inpatient and outpatient clinics of the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE), Cairo, Egypt, in addition to 70 age-matched and sex-matched healthy individuals (35 obese and 35 nonobese). Serum level assessments of RBP-4, FGF21, and DPP4 were carried out on all participants using Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay technique.

Results
Serum levels of RBP-4, FGF21, and DPP4 showed statistically significant differences in all studied groups (P<0.01). RBP-4, FGF21, and DPP4 were all correlated positively with BMI, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. RPB-4 was negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Both RBP-4 and FGF21 were significantly associated with IR (odds ratio=1.264; P<0.001, and odds ratio=1.059; P<0.01, respectively), whereas receiver operating characteristic curves analysis revealed that serum levels of RBP-4 were most significant [area under curve (AUC)=0.826, P=<0.001], followed by FGF21 (AUC=0.774, P<0.001) and finally DPP4 (AUC=0.677, P<0.001).

Conclusions
Obesity and IR were found to be significantly associated with RBP-4, FGF21, and DPP4. They were higher in all obese groups, with the diabetic obese group having the highest concentrations. Of the three adipokines studied, RBP-4 has the strongest link. This finding will bolster the adipose-derived factors use as biomarkers and targets for treating and managing obesity and T2DM.
The role of D-dimer with beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone and cancer antigen-125 as markers for miscarriage
Authors: Salem Sondos , Abdel-Rasheed Mazen , Hamdy Shereen , Salama Sameh 
Published: May 2024

Background/Aim
Miscarriage is defined as pregnancy termination before the 20th week of gestation or if a baby’s birth weight is more than 500 g. Approximately 10–12% of all gestations worldwide end with a miscarriage. We aimed in this study to evaluate the role of serum level of D-dimer along with beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG), progesterone, and cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) in the prediction of first trimetric miscarriage.

Patients and methods
A total of 400 pregnant women from the Centre of Excellency Clinic, National Research Centre, Egypt, were recruited in this study at the fifth week of gestational age. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included patients whose pregnancy was completed (n=356), and group 2 included patients who had miscarriage (n=44). Serum level of D-dimer was measured by enzyme-linked fluorescence assay, whereas serum levels of β-HCG, progesterone, and CA-125 were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique at the fifth week and 13th week of gestation for all participants, and then they underwent follow-up until 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Results
Pregnancy was completed in 356 women (group 1), whereas miscarriage occurred in 44 women (group 2). At the fifth week and 13th week of gestation, the serum level of D-dimer in the fifth week was insignificant, but it became significant in the 13th week. β-HCG and progesterone were found significantly lower, whereas the level of CA-125 was found higher in women who aborted (group 2).

Conclusion
During the first trimester, maternal serum markers such as D-dimer with β-HCG, progesterone, and CA-125 levels represent early, noninvasive techniques to predict miscarriage.
The association of TRAP1 gene and TNFSF4 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis in a sample of Egyptian patients
Authors: Ibrahim Alshaymaa A. , Abdelhadi Maha , Ashmawy Ingy , Ramadan Abeer , Wahby Aliaa , Hassan Mirhane , Elgengehy Fatema T. , Abdel Baki Noha M. 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
The disclosure of new gene polymorphisms and their association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility open new windows for better clarification of disease pathogenesis, leading to discovering new therapeutic targets. The present study aimed to explore the association of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) gene rs8055172 and tumor necrosis factor superfamily number 4 (TNFSF4) gene rs1234315 with susceptibility of RA in a sample of Egyptian patients.

Patients and methods
This study included 200 RA patients from the Rheumatology Department Outpatients’ Clinic of Kasr El Ainy Teaching Hospital and Centre of Medical Excellence of National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. The study also included 200 healthy participants with no family history of autoimmunity serving as a control group. Genotyping of the studied polymorphisms was done using real-time PCR technique.

Results
The control group showed no significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium regarding rs8055172 and rs1234315 (P=0.6 and 0.2, respectively). Regarding genotypes of rs8055172, the CC homozygous genotype was more observed among patients. Therefore, the frequency of C allele is higher among RA patients compared with healthy controls (P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis of rs8055172 genotypes with susceptibility of RA was only significant under the recessive model, where patients carrying CC allele have higher susceptibility to develop RA (P=0.001, odds ratio=3.1) compared with patients carrying TT and CT allele. On the other hand, distribution of TNFSF4 (rs1234315) genotypes showed no significant difference between controls and RA group (P=0.7).

Conclusions
Our results indicate that the TRAP1 gene rs8055172 associates with RA in a population of Egyptians from Cairo, while TNFSF4 gene rs1234315 plays no role in disease susceptibility. A large-scale study to assess the association between TRAP1 gene polymorphism, TRAP1 mRNA expression, and TRAP1 protein level, is needed to clarify the role of TRAP1 gene polymorphism in RA pathogenesis.
Protective effect of lobelia and hops mixture against cigarette inhalation toxicity in female rats
Authors: Refaie Amel A. , Diab Yasser M. 
Published: May 2024

Background/Aim
Cigarette inhalation is dangerous for the health of both nonsmokers and smokers. It is the most important cause of death. The current study is important for studying the protective role of lobelia (Lobelia inflata) and hops (Humulus lupulus) against the toxic effects of smoking inhalation in adult female rats.

Materials and methods
This study was performed on 24 female rats divided into four groups (six each) including control group (G1), cigarettes inhalation group (G2), mixture of lobelia and hops inhalation group (G3), and mixture of herbal plants plus cigarettes inhalation group (G4). Female rats were exposed to inhalation of a mixture of lobelia and hops or cigarettes separately or mixed for 4 weeks with a concentration of 4.4 mg/kg for each dose. At the end of the experiment, serum samples and whole blood were used for biochemical and hematological investigation as well as histological examination on liver, kidney, lung, and cardiac tissue.

Results
The cigarette-treated rats showed significant increases (P<0.05) in levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, protein, urea, and creatinine, whereas a significant decrease (P<0.05) in albumin level was estimated. The exposure to the mixture of herbal plants only showed normal levels of liver and kidney biomarkers in comparison with the control group. However, the combination of cigarette plus mixture of herbal plants inhalations revealed normal levels of liver and kidney parameters after 4 weeks of inhalation. Histological studies showed morphological alterations in all vital organs of rats in cigarette inhalation-treated group, whereas normal histological examination in group of rats treated with cigarette plus mixture of herbal plants inhalations.

Conclusion
These findings concluded that exposure to cigarette inhalation in female rats activated harmful effects to the vital organs; this toxicity can be improved by exposure to mixtures of herbal plants from lobelia (L. inflata) and hops (H. lupulus).
Role of anthropometric measurements on sonographic estimation of false hepatomegaly among healthy adult men
Authors: El Hussieny Mohamed S. , El-Masry Sahar A. , Hassan Nayera E. 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
Ultrasonography is the modality of choice in assessment of liver span and an essential part of clinical assessment of healthy and pathologic liver. Various anthropometrical measurements may influence liver span. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric variables and liver span and verify that the previously accepted cutoff value of normal liver span should be changed according to body physique.

Patients and methods
This cross-sectional study included randomly selected 106 men with normal liver function tests, visiting Hala Eisa Hospital searching for medical advice other than liver disease. Height, weight, and BMI were estimated, and ultrasound scanning for all participants was done.

Results
The mean liver span for the studied men was 16.02±1.59 cm. Among the current samples, 62.3% (66) had false hepatomegaly and 37.7% (40) had normal liver span. There were insignificant differences in the anthropometric parameters between the men with false hepatomegaly and those with normal liver span; however, mean weight, height, BMI, and waist–hip ratio (WHR) were higher in men with false hepatomegaly. In addition, among men with normal liver span, there were highly significant positive correlations between liver span on one side and age, body weight, BMI, and WHR on the other side. However, among men with false hepatomegaly group, there was a highly significant negative correlation (P<0.01) between liver span and height. Among men with normal liver span, WHR explained 43.2% of the changes occurred in liver span, which increased to 49.5% when age was added. Among men with false hepatomegaly, height explained 24.9% of the changes occurred in liver span, which increased to 36.7% when age was added.

Conclusion
In decision of diagnosis of hepatomegaly, body physique should be taken into consideration, particularly height and weight/height ratio. For the universe, cutoff point of 16 cm of liver span cannot be used to distinguish between those with normal liver and hepatomegaly.
Anticancer, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic effects of royal jelly
Authors: Al-Okbi Sahar Y. , Al-Siedy Enas S. 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
Royal jelly (RJ) is a natural product obtained from honey bees and claimed to possess diverse health benefits. The aim of the present research was to search some of such health claims, including antioxidant, anticancer, and antihyperlipidemic effects, so as to support or negate such claims.

Materials and methods
RJ was tested for its antioxidant, anticancer, and antihyperlipidemic effects. The in-vitro antioxidant effect was screened using 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The anticancer effect was carried out by applying MTT assay using human cancer cell line from breast (MCF-7, breast adenocarcinoma) and from liver (Huh-7, hepatocellular carcinoma). The in-vivo antihyperlipidemic effect was studied in a Triton X-100-induced hyperlipidemic rat model. The rats were divided into three groups; normal control, hyperlipidemic control, and hyperlipidemic group where rats were given 300 mg RJ/kg rat bodyweight as daily oral dose for 2 weeks before Triton injection and continued 3 days after the injection. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-densitylipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, malondialdehyde, and the activities of transaminases (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) were analyzed in all rats. The ratio of TC/HDL-C was calculated as a cardiovascular risk factor. Livers of all rats were investigated for any histopathological changes.

Results
demonstrated in-vitro antioxidant activity with different degrees according to the assay type ranging from 0.43 to 5.634 ΜM Trolox eq/mg RJ. The anticancer effect showed IC50 of 51.133 and 107.332 Μg/ml from RJ toward MCF-7 and Huh-7, respectively. The animal experiment demonstrated significant reduction in the activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, levels of malondialdehyde, triglycerides, TC, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol with concomitant elevation in HDL-C, and a decrease in TC/HDL-C, with improvement of liver histopathology in the group given RJ compared with the hyperlipidemic control group.

Conclusion
Within the extreme of the present research, RJ was efficient as antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective agent and has mild to moderate antioxidant activity according to the screened assays together with anticancer potential in cell lines, which was superior against MCF-7 compared with Huh-7.
Parathyroid gland injury after total thyroidectomy in Fayoum University Hospitals, Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed , El Ghaffar Noha K.A. , Fathy Mohamed 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
The incidences of transient and permanent hypocalcemia range from 2 to 32% (1–3) and 0.2 to 13% (3, 4), respectively, in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy. The aim of the present work is to determine the incidence of parathyroid gland injury in total thyroidectomy operations in Fayoum University Hospitals.

Patients and methods
This study was carried out as a prospective study on 50 patients who presented with goiter with formal surgical indication for a total thyroidectomy operation. They were evaluated, operated and included in this study in the period from April 2019 to November 2019. Patients were examined at our outpatient general surgery clinic in Fayoum University.

Results
About nine patients (18.0%) developed manifestations of hypocalcemia within the first 24 h postoperatively after thyroidectomy; there was a statistically significant relation between recurrence and hypocalcemia status, with P=0.016. The incidence of hypocalcemia in patients with recurrent goiter was much higher than in those with de-novo goiter (75 vs. 13%).

Conclusion
Post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism due to parathyroid gland injury is believed to have a multifactorial background including the experience of the operator, the surgical technique and some risk factors of the patients (age and sex); all these factors have contributed to its incidence in the current study.
Phenotypic characteristics of CD133+ EpCAM+ cancer stem-like cells derived from the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line
Authors: Aglan Hadeer A. , Mahmoud Nadia S. , Elhinnawi Manar A. , Abd-Rabou Ahmed A. , Ahmed Hanaa H. 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) have been found to be a serious hurdle in the effective treatment of cancer. The rationale of this study was to isolate and characterize CD133+EpCAM+-enriched cells from the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line to prove their stemness phenotype.

Materials and methods
The CD133+EpCAM+ cells were sorted from the HepG2 cell line using magnetic cell sorting and specified by flow cytometry analysis of surface markers [CD13, CD24, CD34, CD44, CD90, CD133, and CD326 (EpCAM)] and transmission electron microscopy to confirm their identity as CSCs. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was applied for determining the expression level of stemness marker genes: Oct4, Nanog, ALDH1A1, Notch receptors (NOTCH1, NOTCH2, and NOTCH3), and cytokeratins (CK8/18/19). The proliferative ability of the isolated cells was identified through MTT assay, and their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay.

Results
The isolated CD133+EpCAM+ cells from the HepG2 cell line characterized by flow cytometry were positive for CD13 (81.8%), CD24 (24.4%), CD34 (3.36%), CD44 (92.0%), CD90 (39.7%), CD133 (82.3%), and CD326 (2.79%). Moreover, our data clarified from transmission electron microscopy examination that the isolated CD133+EpCAM+ cells exhibited irregular cell morphology and integral cell membrane structure. The sorted CD133+EpCAM+ cells possessed considerable increase in the mRNA level of Oct4, Nanog, ALDH1A1, NOTCH1, NOTCH2, NOTCH3, and CK19 genes, whereas they showed significant decrease in the mRNA level of CK8 and CK18 genes versus CD133-EpCAM- cells. Moreover, starting from day 4 to day 10, the CD133+EpCAM+ cells showed a significant increase in their proliferation rate and displayed high resistance to chemotherapy (doxorubicin) contrary to CD133-EpCAM- cells.

Conclusion
On the basis of the aforementioned results, CD133+EpCAM+-enriched cells strictly represented CSC phenotype in the HepG2 cell line. These cells might be valuable for studying the mechanism of CSCs in hepatoma and screening novel targets for cancer therapy.
Prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among Cairo University students
Authors: Mohamed Hend S. , Ismail Karim A. 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
Food insecurity (FI) is a major public health issue. The susceptibility to FI varies along life course; however, university is a potential period of particular vulnerability. The figures of food-security status among Egyptian university students are scarce. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of FI among Cairo University students, identify the associated sociodemographic factors, and determine its relation with the students’ health status.

Patients and methods
A cross-sectional study included (n=500) 241 female and 259 male students. They were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of demographic variables, the US Adulthood Food Security Survey Module. The 19-item Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 14-item Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, and Eating Attitudes Test-26.

Results
The mean age of the students was 23.78±4.3 years old. Sixty-six percent of the students were food-insecure, while 25% with very low food security. Significant relationships were identified between FI with sex, residence, parents’ education, working beside studying, family head, family size, and average monthly income (P<0.01). FI was associated with poor sleep quality and stress (P<0.01).

Conclusions
FI is a significant problem with high prevalence among Cairo University students and has negative implication on mental health. It is recommended to screen for FI and implement policy and program initiatives, as well as addressing solutions for FI among university students.
Comparative study of maxillary denture-base retention between CAD/CAM (3D printed) and conventional fabrication techniques
Authors: EL Naggar Shady M. , Helal Eman , Khalil Mai F.F. , Esmat El-Sisy Ahmed M. , Gouda Ayman 
Published: May 2024

Background/aim
Clinical studies comparing the retention values of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) denture bases with those of conventionally processed denture bases are lacking. The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the retention values of digitally 3D-printed maxillary denture bases with those of conventional heat-polymerized denture bases.

Patients and methods
The study was conducted on 32 completely edentulous outpatients visiting the clinic of Dental Surgery, Misr University for Science and Technology, Egypt. The patients were divided into two groups, group I received conventional complete dentures (CDs) and group II received 3D-printed CAD/CAM dentures, the retention of the maxillary denture bases was evaluated at the denture insertion and after 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. A universal testing machine was used to measure the retention of each denture. Every denture base was subjected to a slowly increasing vertical load, until the denture was totally out of place three times at 5-minute intervals. The average retention of each denture was analyzed. An independent t-test was performed for significance evaluation between both groups, while one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post-hoc test was used for multiple comparisons.

Results
Group II showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in retention in all of the follow-up periods (at the time of denture insertion and after 1, 3, 6, and 9 months) when compared with group I. Definite time intervals of both groups showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in retentive values in all follow-up periods, except for the last two follow-up periods from denture insertion – 6 months and from denture insertion – 9 months showed the insignificant difference in both groups.

Conclusion
The retention of the maxillary CD prepared with the 3D print CAD/CAM method was significantly higher than conventional heat-polymerized denture bases, meaning that the 3D print CAD/CAM method can meet the clinically acceptable precision for the design and construction of CDs with higher retentive means of completely edentulous patients.
Différentielles quadratiques à singularités prescrites
Authors: Gendron Quentin , Tahar Guillaume 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The local invariants of a meromorphic quadratic differential on a compact Riemann surface are the orders of zeros and poles, and the residues at the poles of even orders. The main result of this paper is that with few exceptions, every pattern of local invariants can be obtained by a quadratic differential on some Riemann surface. The exceptions are completely classified and only occur in genera zero and one. Moreover, in the case of a nonconnected stratum, we show that, with three exceptions in genus one, each configuration of invariants can be realized in each non-hyperelliptic connected component of the stratum. In the hyperelliptic components with two poles the residues at both poles coincide. These results are obtained using the flat metric induced by the differentials. We give an application by bounding the number of disjoint cylinders on a primitive quadratic differential.
ANALISIS AKTIVITAS PASAR PADARINCANG TERHADAP KINERJA LALU LINTAS PADA RUAS JALAN PASAR PADARINCANG
Authors: Rosdiyani Telly , Bahiroh Rini , Sari Fitri Aida , Ariwi Nila Prasetyo 
Published: May 2024

Pasar Padarincang merupakan salah satu pasar tradisional yang berada di kecamatan Padarincang tepatnya berada di jalan Jl. Kadubeureum, Padarincang, kabupaten Serang, Banten. Tingginya aktivitas yang dilakukan di pasar Padarincang membuat pertumbuhan kendaraan akan semakin bertambah. Oleh karena itu diperlukannya sarana jalan yang memadai untuk menuju pasar Padarincang. Namun, ketidakseimbangan antara peningkatan jumlah kendaraan serta pertumbuhan prasarana jalan menimbulkan beberapa masalah terhadap kelancaran lalu lintas di pasar Padarincang seperti kemacetan lalu lintas, peningkatan waktu tempuh, meningkatnya angka kecelakaan, kebisingan suara kendaran dan polusi udara. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kinerja existing ruas jalan, hambatan samping dan mendapatkan solusi. Metode analisia berdasarkan MKJI 1997, Adapun hasil analisa yang diperoleh volume lalulintas C = 7244,328 smp/jam Kecepatan arus bebas 34,6 km/jam, derajat kejenuhan 0.93, tingkat pelayanan level E pada arah kota Serang menuju Anyer serta hambatan samping sebesar 2836,8 dengan bobot kejadian sangat tinggi (ST), upaya yang bisa dilakukan dalam peningkatan kinerja lalu lintas berdasarkan prefrensi responden terdapat 38,3% responden menginginkan perbaikan manajemen pengelolaaan pasar. 35% responden menginginkan penataan tata ruang pasar. 16,7% responden menginginkan penyediakan fasilitas lahan parkir yang memadai 10% responden menginginkan adanya pengaturan terhadap angkutan umum.