RNA Interference based Midkine Gene Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from hepatocytes and accounts for 90% of primary liver cancer. Reasons for HCC prognosis remaining dismal are that HCC is asymptomatic in its early stages, leading to late diagnosis, and it is markedly resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated RNA interference (RNAi)-based treatment for HCC by targeting MDK.

HEPPAR1 and PIWIL2 as Panel Markers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression profiles of PIWI-like protein- 2 (PIWIL2), and HepPar1 and their immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), and determine their correlation with clinicopathological parameters of this type of cancer to determine their diagnostic value in combination.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with HCC were assessed for the expression of PIWIL2 in serum and tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and IHC was performed for PIWIL2 and HepPar1 was performed on all patients.

Results: A statistically significantly higher level of PIWIL2 was found in HCC compared to controls (p≤0.

Curcumin, Piperine and Taurine Combination Enhances the Efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolization Therapy in patients with Intermediate Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Diagnosis of the majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients occurs at intermediate to advanced stages, with a few curative therapeutic options being available. It is therefore strongly urgent to discover additional adjuvant therapy for this lethal malignancy. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of curcumin (C), piperine (P) and taurine (T) combination as adjuvant agents on serum levels of IFN-γ, immunophenotypic and molecular characterization of mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs) in HCC patients treated with Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

The impact of target speed on pedestrian, bike, and speeding crash frequencies.

This research aims to investigate the influence of adopting the target speed concept on different types of crashes including pedestrian, bike, and speeding-related crashes. The Target speed is the highest speed that vehicles should operate on a roadway segment in a specific context. Based on the reviewed literature, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between target speed and crash frequency.

Advances and applications of computer vision techniques in vehicle trajectory generation and surrogate traffic safety indicators.

The application of Computer Vision (CV) techniques massively stimulates microscopic traffic safety analysis from the perspective of traffic conflicts and near misses, which is usually measured using Surrogate Safety Measures (SSM). However, as video processing and traffic safety modeling are two separate research domains and few research have focused on systematically bridging the gap between them, it is necessary to provide transportation researchers and practitioners with corresponding guidance. With this aim in mind, this paper focuses on reviewing the applications of CV techniques in traffic safety modeling using SSM and suggesting the best way forward.

Effect of signal timing on vehicles' near misses at intersections.

Driving characteristics often vary between the different states of the signal. During red and yellow phase, drivers tend to speed up and reduce the following distance which in turn increases the possibility of rear end crashes. Intersection safety, therefore, relies on the correct modelling of signal phasing and timing parameters, and how drivers respond to its changes.

Evaluation of preoperative duloxetine use for postoperative analgesia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

The pain pattern after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is complex and distinct from postoperative pain after other laparoscopic procedures, suggesting that procedure-specific optimal analgesic management plans should be proposed. Duloxetine, a non-opioid neuromodulator, has been widely used to manage pain with dual central and peripheral analgesic properties. To assess the effect of preoperative administration of duloxetine compared to placebo on postoperative pain control in patients undergoing LC.

Molecular Noninvasive Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Microsatellite Instability.

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for more than 80% of primary liver cancers. Moreover, in the next 10 years, more than one million patients are expected to die from liver cancer as estimated by the World Health Organization. The aim of the present study is to define the microsatellite phenotype in the blood, tumor and nontumor tissue samples from hepatocellular carcinoma cases to develop a simple non-invasive method for diagnosis and detection of the disease.

The intraperitoneal ondansetron for postoperative pain management following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A proof-of-concept, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a major challenge. Ondansetron blocks sodium channels and may have local anesthetic properties.

Aims: To investigate the effect of intraperitoneal administration of ondansetron for postoperative pain management as an adjuvant to intravenous acetaminophen in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

EVALUATION OF PACKING THE RESIDUAL CAVITY AFTER TOTAL OR PARTIAL CYST RESECTION IN MANAGEMENT OF HEPATIC HYDATID CYSTIC DISEASE.

Hydatid disease is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the echinococcus tapeworm, that is endemic in many parts 6f the world (in Europe, Middle East, Mediterranean, South American and African countries). Hydatid disease is a relevant health problem in underdeveloped areas where veterinary control does not exist. The most frequent location of hydatid cystic lesions is the liver (up to 80% of cases), followed by the lung (about 20% of cases), and with a lower reported incidence in any other organ or tissue in the body.

Clinical and serological outcomes with different surgical approaches for human hepatic hydatidosis.

Introduction: Hydatidosis is the result of infection with the larval stages of some species of the genus Echinococcus. Treatment approaches for hydatid cysts include the use of albendazole, surgery, and/or medico-surgical procedures. The choice of the therapeutic surgical approach depends on the cyst number and localization, surgeon expertise, and presence of complications.

LAPAROSCOPIC ASSISTED PER-CUTANEOUS RADIO-FREQUENCY ABLATION (LAPRFA) AS A NEW MODALITY FOR TREATMENT OF HCC IN CIRRHOTIC LIVER.

Laparoscopic assisted percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (LAPRFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under guidance of intra-operative laparoscopic ultrasound (IOLUS) is a new modality for obtaining additional assessment of the liver situation, better tumor staging and effective treatment for the hepatic focal lesion (HFL), in patients with a difficult percutaneous approach. Between September 2010 and July 2014, 1150 patients with HCC on top of liver cirrhosis were referred to HCC clinic (MDT clinic) at National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI). Fourty nine patients were submitted to LAPRFA under IOLUS guidanceby the Multidiscipplinary team decision.