Pro-Neurotensin as a Potential Novel Diagnostic Biomarker for Detection of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background And Aims: Currently, liver biopsy is the gold standard method for diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver severity. It is critical to develop non-invasive diagnostic method to diagnose nonalcoholic fatty liver rather than invasive techniques. Our case-control study was to address the value of circulating miRNA-122 and serum pro-neurotensin as a potential non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty acid diseases.

Assessment of Antibacterial and Anti-biofilm Effects of Vitamin C Against Clinical Isolates.

There is a persistent need to look for alternative therapeutic modalities to help control the pandemic of antimicrobial resistance. Assessment of antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) was the aim of the current study. The micro-dilution method determined the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ascorbic acid or antibiotics alone and in combinations against () clinical isolates.

Detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HCV-infected patients following sustained virologic response.

It is unclear whether direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) result in the complete eradication of HCV infection or whether some quantities of the virus may persist after achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR). Aim The aim of this work was to study the possibility of the persistence of HCV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after achieving SVR following DAA treatment. This study included 100 patients infected with HCV genotype 4, who were candidates for receiving DAAs and who achieved SVR during follow-up, as determined at 12 and/or 24 weeks following the end of treatment.

Comparative study of IgG binding to megakaryocytes in immune and myelodysplastic thrombocytopenic patients.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disorder in which autoantibodies are responsible for destruction and decreased production of platelets. In the meantime, thrombocytopenia is frequent in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and immune clearance of megakaryocytes could be a reason. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare IgG binding to megakaryocytes in bone marrow of ITP and MDS patients to determine megakaryocytes targeting by autoantibodies in vivo as a mechanism of platelet underproduction in these disorders.