Transforming growth factor-β1 gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: a preliminary report.

Background And Study Aims: The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling pathway plays a dual role in hepatocarcinogenesis. It has been recognised for its role as a tumour suppressor as well as a tumour promoter depending on the cellular context. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of serum TGF-β1 level and TGF-β1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the peripheral blood of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients as noninvasive biomarkers in diagnosing HCC.

Evaluation of multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction for routine hepatitis C virus genotyping in egyptian patients.

Background: At least six HCV (hepatitis C virus) genotypes are unequally distributed worldwide. HCV genotyping guides the selection of treatment regimens and provides important epidemiological markers that enable the outbreak source to be traced and the spread of disease to be controlled. In Egypt, there is an increasing need for cost-effective, fast, and easily performable HCV genotyping assays.