Impact of steroid therapy on pediatric acute liver failure: prognostic implication and interplay between TNF-α and miR-122.

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare illness marked by rapid deterioration of liver function, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in children. While steroids have been observed to correlate with improved survival, evidence supporting their efficacy in ALF children remains limited. miR-122, a liver-specific microRNA, plays a pivotal role in liver pathology, with its expression significantly altered in various liver diseases.

SOX9 in biliary atresia: New insight for fibrosis progression.

Background: Liver fibrosis is a hallmark determinant of morbidity in biliary atresia (BA) even in successfully operated cases. Responsible factors for this rapid progression of fibrosis are not completely defined. Aberrant expression of the transcription factor SOX9 and hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) proliferation have roles in fibrogenesis in cholestatic disorders.

Temporal histopathological changes in biliary atresia: A perspective for rapid fibrosis progression.

Introduction And Objectives: Biliary atresia (BA) is characterized by rapid progression of fibrosis with no definite causes. Histopathological findings have been extensively described, but very few studies have assessed temporal changes in BA. Understanding these short-term changes and their relationship with fibrosis progression could have an impact on ameliorating rapid fibrogenesis.

Safety and Efficacy of 8 Weeks Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir for Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 4 in Children Aged 4-10 Years.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of shortened 8-week regimen of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LED/SOF) combination therapy in treatment-naïve children without cirrhosis aged 4-10 years of age with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Study Design: This observational single arm prospective study included 30 treatment-naïve children (20 males) with proved chronic HCV fulfilling inclusion criteria. Their body weights ranged from 17 to 26 kg.

Generic sofosbuvir/ledipasvir for the treatment of genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C in Egyptian children (9-12 years) and adolescents.

Background/purpose Of The Study: Worldwide and national efforts are directed against eradication of HCV. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has changed dramatically the outcome of HCV treatment. In spite of the Food and Drug Administration approval of the oral drugs sofosbuvir (SOF) and ledipasvir (LED) for the treatment of HCV in adolescents more than or equal to 12 years old, sufficient real-world experience is still lacking.

Glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde in children with chronic hepatitis C.

Aim Of The Study: We aimed to assess oxidative stress factors, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and their relation to treatment response.

Material And Methods: The study included 50 children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) before treatment (naïve HCV), 25 children responders to HCV treatment, 25 children non-responders to HCV treatment and 25 healthy controls. All patients and controls were subjected to GPX and MDA measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The pattern of risk-factor profile in Egyptian patients with acute coronary syndrome: phase II of the Egyptian cross-sectional CardioRisk project.

Background: Egypt is the most populous country in the Middle East and North Africa and has more than 15% of the cardiovascular deaths in the region, but little is known about the prevalence of traditional risk factors and treatment strategies in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients across Egypt.

Methods: From November 2015 to August 2017, data were collected from 1 681 patients with ACS in 30 coronary care centres, covering 11 governorates across Egypt, spanning the Mediterranean coast, Nile Delta and Upper Egypt, with a focus on risk factors and management strategies.

Results: Women constituted 25% of the patients.

Serum level of interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 in infants with biliary atresia - is it of value?

Aim Of The Study: We aimed to assess the utility of serum level IL-13Rα2 receptors as a non-invasive marker for early diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) and selection of BA patients indicated for Kasai portoenterostomy.

Material And Methods: The study included 60 infants with neonatal cholestasis in three groups; early BA group ( = 20), delayed BA group ( = 20) and non-BA cholestasis group ( = 20). A fourth group of 20 healthy neonates ( = 20) served as controls.

Steroid therapy in children with fulminant hepatitis A.

Fulminant hepatic failure is a life-threatening disease. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause fulminant hepatic failure and death in about 0.2% of cases.

Elevated cystatin C: is it a reflection for kidney or liver impairment in hepatic children?

Aim Of The Study: To assess if elevated serum cystatin C (Cyst-C) is an indicator for renal or hepatic dysfunction in presence of liver fibrosis.

Material And Methods: Data of 50 children with chronic liver diseases (CLDs), out of which 25 were without renal impairment, and 25 with renal impairment were analyzed. Twenty healthy children served as a healthy control group.

Preoperative Serum IL-12p40 Is a Potential Predictor of Kasai Portoenterostomy Outcome in Infants with Biliary Atresia.

The standard-of-care treatment for biliary atresia (BA) is surgical restoration of bile flow by Kasai portoenterostomy. We aimed to study serum interleukin- (IL-) 12p40, a natural antagonist for the proinflammatory IL-12p70, and its relation to surgical outcomes of BA. The study included 75 infants with neonatal cholestasis: BA group ( = 25), non-BA cholestasis group ( = 30), and neglected BA group ( = 20), in addition to thirty healthy neonates serving as controls.

Assessment of intrahepatic regulatory T cells in children with autoimmune hepatitis.

Unlabelled:  Background. T-cell populations regulate the balance of immune responses. The CD (Cluster of differentiation) 4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for maintaining negative control of various immune responses.

Hepatic progenitor cells in children with chronic hepatitis C: correlation with histopathology, viremia, and treatment response.

Objective: Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are bipotential stem cells that can differentiate towards the hepatocytic and cholangiocytic lineages. Many studies have investigated HPCs in adults with hepatitis C virus infection; however, none has been carried out in the pediatric population. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate HPCs expansion in children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and its correlation with histopathology, viremia, and treatment response.

Safety and efficacy of Hansenula-derived PEGylated-interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin combination in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian children.

Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a Hansenula-derived PEGylated (polyethylene glycol) interferon (IFN)-alpha-2a (Reiferon Retard) plus ribavirin customized regimen in treatment-naïve and previously treated (non-responders and relapsers) Egyptian children with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Methods: Forty-six children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were selected from three tertiary pediatric hepatology centers. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were undertaken.