bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Audiological evaluation in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Ahmed Maha Elsayed , Younes Abdel-Khalek Hassan , Elmoursy Mohamed Mohamed , Makki Mahmoud Abd Elsabour 
Published: April 2024

Background
Psoriasis is a multisystem, immune disorder driven by inflammatory processes, characterized by skin and joint manifestations, and may be associated with hearing loss.

Aim
To assess the hearing function in patients with psoriasis and if psoriasis could cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Patients and methods
A total of 50 patients with psoriasis and 50 apparently healthy controls matched for age and sex were included in a cross-sectional comparative study between May 2017 and April 2018. Medical history of patients was taken. Demographics, type of psoriasis, and disease severity evaluated by PASI score were assessed. All patients who were included in this study provided a complete history and audiological history. All patients underwent otoscopic examination, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and immittancemetry including tympanometry and acoustic reflexes.

Results
There was no statistically significant difference in age or sex for patients with psoriasis and the control group. Eight patients with psoriasis showed impaired hearing function with significant longer duration with psoriasis and older age more than 20 years old in comparison with the rest of the patient.

Conclusion
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated skin disease with estimated prevalence in Upper Egypt at a rate of 0.19% of skin diseases. There were eight (16%) patients who had SNHL in psoriatic group in comparison with three (6%) cases in nonpsoriatic group. There was a statistically significant difference for the age and the duration of psoriasis in relation to hearing loss. SNHL increased with age in psoriatic patients much more than in healthy controls.
The possible mitigating effect of hawthorn on some cold stress-induced changes in rats
Authors: Ibrahim Samah El-Metwally , Al-Saeed Hanan F. , A. F. Yousuf 
Published: April 2024

Background
Cold stress is one of the potentially life-threatening challenges that could exert dramatic effects on adult health. Cold stress could affect the synthesis of some important neuroproteins and increase the susceptibility for infection. Besides, it is one of the famous predisposing causes that can affect mood and result in actual mood effect. Hawthorn plant possesses various bioactive natural compounds. However, there has been little attempt toward exploring the potential health effects of hawthorn.

Objective
The aim of the research is to validate if hawthorn extract could be used as a strategy against the multiple health adverse effects that might result from cold stress.

Materials and methods
A total of 50 adult male albino rats were equally divided into five groups: control; hawthorn administered; cold stress exposed; cold stress exposed and pretreated by hawthorn; and cold stress-exposed and concomitantly treated by hawthorn. Blood samples were collected to investigate the proinflammatory markers, such as serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), oxidative stress markers, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Results
Rats exposed to cold stress showed significant increase in serum IL-6 and MDA, whereas serum SOD and BDNF were significantly decreased. Fortunately, hawthorn-administered rats revealed alleviation of these disturbances, as serum IL-6 and MDA were significantly decreased, with an associated significant increases in serum SOD as well as BDNF.

Conclusion
Hawthorn extract can be used as a neuromodulator, an antioxidant, and an anti-inflammatory agent for reversing the adverse effects of cold stress.
Hepatoprotective effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed A.N. , Omar Zainab M.M. , El-Bakry Mohamed H. , Ahmed Mohammed A. 
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim
Sitagliptin is a selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor that is used worldwide to ameliorate hyperglycemia and insulin insensitivity-induced dysmetabolism. The current study assessed the effect of sitagliptin as well as silymarin (the standard hepatoprotective drug) against experimentally carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity in male mice.

Materials and methods
Mice chronic liver fibrosis models were established and divided into olive oil-induced control group, CCl4-induced model group, silymarin-treated group, and sitagliptin-treated group. Hepatic fibrotic changes were evaluated by measuring hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase), histopathological score, activation of hepatic stellate cells (α-smooth muscle actin expression with special stain), and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, glutathione, total nitrate/nitrite, and manganese superoxide dismutase levels).

Results
The injection of mice with CCl4 for 7 weeks resulted in a marked elevation of hepatic fibrotic changes and reduction of glutathione level; both silymarin and sitagliptin therapy showed a significant decrease in the fibrotic changes and a significant increase in endogenous antioxidants.

Conclusion
This study shows that sitagliptin ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in mice and announces a new strategy for treating hepatic fibrosis in humans.
Spleen stiffness measurement based on shear-wave elastography for noninvasive assessment of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis cases
Authors: Soliman Walid K. , Eid Khaled A. , Mohammad Ahmed Q. 
Published: April 2024

Background and aim
Several laboratory tests and procedures have been considered as noninvasive prediction of esophageal varices (OV). This study assessed the usefulness of shear-wave elastography in splenic stiffness measurement (SSM) as a noninvasive assessment for OV prediction.

Patients and methods
This study was performed on 100 cases in Sohag Cardiology and Gastroenterology 1Center who were categorized into three groups: group A: (n=40) included liver cirrhosis of any cause proved clinically, laboratory, and by ultrasound; group B: (n=30) included chronic hepatitis of any cause; and group C: (n=30) included nonhepatic cases attending the hospital with gastrointestinal tract complaints. All cases have been subjected to full history taking and clinical examination before classification, complete blood count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, serum albumin, coagulation profile and serum bilirubin, hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HB Ag), abdominal ultrasonography, SSM by shear-wave elastography, and upper endoscopy for diagnosing of OV.

Results
As regards to abdominal ultrasound and upper endoscopy, significant differences were noted between three groups regarding spleen, spleen diameter, SSM, ascites, and OV (as 27.5 and 65% cases in group I had ascites and OV versus no cases in groups II and III as P<0.001). As regards to spleen diameter and SSM, significant increase was noted in group A than B and C, but insignificant differences were noted among groups B and C. As regards to OV grades in group A, there were five cases with grade I, nine cases with grade II, five cases with grade III, and seven cases with grade IV. Considerable positive correlations were noted among OV grades and acoustic radiation force impulse elastography (r=0.904, P <0.001).

Conclusion
SSM by shear-wave elastography is a useful noninvasive parameter for detection of OV presence and grading in cases of liver cirrhosis.
Dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl in ultrasound-guided transversus Abdominis plane block for pain relief after elective cesarean delivery
Authors: Abdelraouf Hesham Said , Amin Mohamed Abd-Allah , Elsawy Ahmed G. 
Published: April 2024

Background
Transversus abdominus plane (TAP) block is one of the multimodal techniques that are used to relieve postoperative pain in cesarean delivery. Addition of adjuvants to local anesthetic agents reduces postoperative opioid consumption and helps in prolonging their analgesic effect.

Aim
This study compared the influences of addition of dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl to bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia after spinal anesthesia in cesarean delivery and evaluating the time to the first dose of analgesia postoperatively as the primary outcome.

Patients and methods
A total of 120 female patients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were conducted in this study. Patients were divided into four equal groups. All patients received spinal anesthesia. Group TAP received ultrasound-guided TAP block using bupivacaine, group TAP-F received TAP block with addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine, group TAP-D received TAP block with addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine, whereas control group received spinal anesthesia only, and morphine was used for pain relief. Postoperative, time to first dose of rescue analgesia, number of patients who requested rescue analgesia, patient satisfaction, and visual analog pain scale were recorded.

Results
The time to give rescue analgesic in TAP-D group was the longest in comparison with the other studied groups. Regarding the number of patients who requested rescue analgesia, at the end of 24 h, significant differences were observed between control group and the other groups, and least number of patients who requested rescue analgesia was in TAP-D group during 24 h postoperatively, and differences between this group and the other groups were highly significant.

Conclusion
Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in TAP block delayed the time to first rescue analgesia when added to bupivacaine using ultrasound-guided technique and improved patients’ satisfaction with decrease in total morphine consumption, whereas addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine has no added advantage.
Determinants of bone mineral density in young and premenopausal females
Authors: Elsayed Sahar A. , Mohafez Omar M.M. , Abozaid Hanan Sayed M. 
Published: April 2024

Background and aim
Vitamin D deficiency is a challenging health problem in premenopausal females that negatively affects bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD in premenopausal women is related to lifestyle, vitamin D insufficiency, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. So, we aimed to evaluate BMD in young and premenopausal females and its relation with vitamin D, parathormone (PTH), BMI, and lifestyle factors.

Patients and methods
A total of 86 young and premenopausal females were included, and BMD, serum calcium, vitamin D, PTH, BMI, and lifestyle were determined.

Results

Z score of the spine showed that 26.7% of the patients were below expected. According to T score, 30% were osteopenic, and 9% were osteoporotic. Overall, 59.3% had vitamin D deficiency, and 20.9% had insufficiency. Patients with below expected BMD, osteopenic, and osteoporotic had significantly low vitamin D and BMI and high PTH. Spine and hip-BMD and spine T and Z scores were positively correlated with BMI and vitamin D and negatively correlated with PTH. Hip T and Z scores were positively correlated with BMI and vitamin D. PTH was negatively correlated with vitamin D and BMI. Spine and hip BMDs were positively correlated with sunlight exposure and physical activity but negatively correlated with carbonated and caffeinated beverage consumption and family history of osteoporosis.

Conclusion
Low BMD is a challenging health problem in young and premenopausal females, which may be related to low BMI, vitamin D deficiency, and lifestyle factors in the form of inadequate sunlight exposure, excessive consumption of caffeinated and carbonated beverages, and decreased physical activity, in addition to hyperparathyroidism and positive family history of osteoporosis.
Comparative study between tactile electrosurgical ablation guided by rectal ultrasound and versapoint hysteroscopic ablation in cases of perimenopausal uterine bleeding
Authors: El-kholy Mohamed , Mustafa Faisal A. , Badawy Mahmoud A. 
Published: April 2024

Background and aimBleeding is considered one of the most common problems in perimenopausal women. The menopausal transition is an imprecise period and can be established from the moment of appearance of menstrual disturbances and elevation of the serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tactile electrosurgical ablation of endometrium under rectal ultrasound guidance versus modified tactile versapoint hysteroscopic ablation in the management of perimenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Al-Azhar University Hospital (Assuit), Egypt on 50 perimenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Patients were divided into two groups according to the method used. Group 1 included 25 participants, and ablation was done using tactile ablation guided by rectal ultrasound. Group 2 included 25 participants, who underwent hysteroscopic ablation using versapoint hysteroscope.ResultsRegarding sociodemographic study data, age in both groups ranged from 38 to 45 years, withPvalue of 0.903. Parity also showed no statistically significant difference between both groups. The incidence of complication was more in group 1 but less dangerous. Thermal injury of genital tract was seen in two cases in group 1 but no cases in group 2, withPvalue of 0.245. Cervical injury was seen in two cases in group 1 and one case in group 2, withPvalue of 0.500. Perforation occurred in two cases in group 1 and one case in group 2, withPvalue of 0.500. Regarding specific complication of endometrial ablation by versapoint hysteroscopic ablation, which occurred in group 2 only, by distension media, four cases had complications such as hyponatremia (decrease in serum sodium of 10 mmol/l). Postoperative complication such as hematometra occurred in one case only in group 1, withPvalue 0.500. The cost range in group 1 was from $14 to 20 and in group 2 it was from $40 to 50, withPvalue less than 0.001**. The time of surgery ranged from 10 to −15 min in group 1 and from 20 to 30 min in group 2, withPvalue less than 0.001**. After 6 months, two cases came back with recurrent Hge in group 1 and six cases in group 2, withPvalue 0.123.ConclusionTactile ablation is easier, effective, and less costly.
Vestibular assessment in occupational noise-induced hearing loss
Authors: Ismail Naema M. , Behairy Reda M.A.A. , Galhom Dalia H. , Metwally Shimaa A.E.A.A. E.A. 
Published: April 2024

Background
Occupational noise can cause hearing loss and also may affect the vestibular system and result in vestibular dysfunction.

Aim
To study the effect of noise exposure on the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) and to correlate between duration of noise exposure and vestibular dysfunction if present.

Patients and methods
A total of 60 patients were included in this study, comprising a study group of 30 patients with noise-induced hearing loss and a control group of 30 healthy participants with normal hearing and vestibular function. Patients of both groups underwent cVEMP and oVEMP.

Results
cVEMPs showed a highly statistically significant difference between the study and control groups regarding P13 and N23 latencies and P13–N23 amplitude, and oVEMPs showed a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups regarding N1 and P1 in latencies and N1–P1 amplitude. A positive correlation was found between duration of noise exposure and VEMPs latencies, whereas a negative correlation between it and VEMPs amplitude.

Conclusion
Noise exposure is a hazard to inner ear structures that can enhance the damage of vestibular part, especially the sacculocolic pathway.
Comparative study between noninvasive techniques for diagnosis of helicobacter pylori in patients with dyspepsia
Authors: Khirala Seham K.A. , El-dydamoni Omnia A. , Abdel Rehim Soad E. , El missiry Mervat M. 
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common etiology for infection-related cancers and represents 5.5% of global cancer burden that increases the need for more sensitive noninvasive diagnostic techniques. The aim was to evaluate the role of saliva and stool samples in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection to replace invasive techniques and to compare between three noninvasive diagnostic tests: salivary culture, PCR, and rapid stool antigen test (RSAT).

Patients and methods
The study was conducted on 45 patients with dyspepsia and 45 healthy participants as a control. Saliva and stool samples were taken from all groups and subjected to culture, PCR for detection of 16SrRNA gene of H. pylori, and RSAT to detect H. pylori. Gastric biopsy samples were taken for H. pylori culture, rapid urea test, and histopathology from 20 patients.

Results
A total of 15.6% specimens were positive by salivary culture in patients’ group and 2.2% specimens were positive in the control group. About 31% were positive by salivary PCR in patients’ group and 6.7% were positive by salivary PCR in the control group. About 71% were positive by RSAT in patients and 49% were positive by RSAT in controls. From 20 patients, gastric biopsy samples were taken, 11 patients were positive for H. pylori infection by gastric biopsy culture, 20 were positive by histopathological examination, and 13 were positive by rapid urea test. The salivary culture showed (100%) specificity, (38.5%) sensitivity, and (60%) accuracy. While PCR on saliva showed specificity (100%), (61.5%) sensitivity, and (75%) accuracy. RSAT showed (71.4%) specificity, 92.3% sensitivity, and 85% accuracy.

Conclusion
The oral cavity is an important extragastric reservoir of H. pylori; salivary PCR technique shows a much higher specificity and sensitivity than salivary culture. RSAT shows high sensitivity but with lower specificity.
Role of computed tomography and MRI in children with sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Alkady Ahmad Mohamed Saeed , Al-Wahed El-Gebaly Saad Rezk Abd , Mansour Tarek Mohamed Mohamed , Elmoursy Kasem Mohamed M. 
Published: April 2024

Background and aim
Given the tremendous developments in visualization science, there are many congenital and acquired internal ear anomalies that have no radiological signs. However, visualization is an important instrument for the assessment of congenital and acquired sensory neural hearing loss (SNHL) triggers. The aim is to assess the value of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and MRI in internal ear abnormality detection in children with SNHL.

Patients and methods
This study included 100 children of 10 years or younger with SNHL. The cochlea, the vestibule, the three semicircular canals, the endolymphatic duct, and the internal acoustic canal. In addition, three-dimensional DRIVE MRI gives good demonstration of all four nerves within the internal acoustic canal.

Results
A total of 46 malformations were detected in only 25 patients with 42 malformations that were detected in MDCT examination presenting 91% of all abnormalities, while in MRI examination, 44 malformations are detected presenting 96% of all abnormalities. MDCT showed accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity 96.7, 91.3, and 100%, respectively, while for MRI, it showed accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity 98.3, 95.7, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion
Imaging plays an important role in the workup of children with SNHL. Therefore, it is imperative to define the etiology of hearing loss. High-resolution CT and MRI modalities are the two principal radiological investigations to detect various pathologies in the inner ear. ‘Dual-modality imaging’ using both MRI and CT, made sense for many patients because the dual-scan approaches detect abnormalities related to hearing loss that would not otherwise be found using either modality alone.
Growth arrest-specific 6 as a predictor of gastroesophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Eid Khaled A.-A. , Abdelmeguid Mona M. , Abdel-Gawad Muhammad , Kotb Amera A.N. 
Published: April 2024

Background and aim
Early detection of patients with gastroesophageal varices at high risk of bleeding is crucial. Nevertheless, sparing endoscopy to low-risk patients would be of value. Therefore, noninvasive methods have been proposed. Our study aimed to verify whether plasma GAS6 concentrations are related to the presence and/or degree of esophageal varices in patients with LC.

Patients and methods
This cross-sectional study included 100 patients with LC who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Results
Mean level of GAS6 was 77.70±21.31 among enrolled patients. Patients with varices had significantly higher level of GAS6 in comparison with those without varices (82.93±18.12 vs. 45.57±4.18 ng/ml; P<0.001). Level of serum GAS6 was also increased with advancement in the variceal grade.

Conclusion
Plasma level of GAS6 was higher among patients having varices in comparison with those without, and its level was increased with advancement in the grade of varices. GAS6 is reported to have a good predictive value for hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.
Association between iron-deficiency anemia and febrile convulsion in children
Authors: Rashwan Sarah M.H. , Ahmed Yasser Abd El-Rahman , Ibrahim Ahmed K. , Kasem Ismail Abd El-Razek 
Published: April 2024

Background and aim
Previous studies reported that iron-deficiency could be a risk factor for febrile seizure (FS), as the latter is more common in children younger than 2 years, and iron-deficiency anemia is also common in children of the same age. Yet, the relationship between iron deficiency and FS is not yet determined, and that is why this study was suggested. The aim of this study was to assess the association between iron-deficiency anemia and febrile convulsion (FC).

Patients and methods
This study included 60 children aged 6 months to 5 years. These children were divided into three groups: a group of 20 patients with FC, a group of 20 patients with fever but without FC, and a group of 20 healthy children.

Results
The main findings of this study were that there was a higher incidence of FSs found among children who received formula feeding. Furthermore, children with FSs had the lowest level of hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and transferrin saturation values. However, iron-deficiency anemia was not associated with increased incidence of FCs.

Conclusion
It can be concluded that formula feeding, low hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and transferrin saturation are reinforcing factors for FSs.
Trichoscopic criteria of different stages of male pattern hair loss
Authors: Mohammed Essam El-Deen Mohammed , Mahmoud Waleed Ahmed , Abd El-Hamid Mona Mostafa 
Published: April 2024

Background and aim
Male pattern hair loss is a common noncicatricial alopecia that results from progressive miniaturization of the hair follicle. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of trichoscopy in differentiating between severe and mild cases of male pattern hair loss.

Patients and methods
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 300 males with pattern hair loss. Detailed history, clinical examination, and trichoscopy were performed. All participants were divided according to severity into two groups. Group 1 (n=207) included stages one, two, and three, while group 2 (n=93) included stages four, five, six, and seven on the basis of the Hamilton Norwood classification.

Results
The frequency of yellow dots, white dots, vellus hair, and hair shaft diversity (HSD) more than 20% was higher in group 2 than group 1 (P≤0.05).

Conclusion
Trichoscopy is a very valuable and useful method to differentiate between severe and mild cases of male pattern hair loss.