Comparative study between fractional CO laser (10,600 nm) and microneedling in treatment of morphea: dermoscopic and histopathological evaluation.

Morphea is a chronic inflammatory fibrosing disorder. Since fibrosis is the hallmark of both scars and morphea, our attention was raised for the possible use of Fractional Ablative CO lasers and microneedling as treatment modalities for morphea. To compare the efficacy and safety of Fractional Ablative CO lasers and microneedling in the treatment of morphea.

Impact of Tacrolimus, Sirolimus, Age, and Body Mass Index on the Occurrence of Skin Cancer and Islet Dysfunction After Transplantation.

Herein, we characterized the percentage of tacrolimus to the combined sirolimus and tacrolimus trough levels (tacrolimus %) observed during islet transplant-associated immune suppression therapy with post-transplant skin cancer. Although trough levels of tacrolimus and sirolimus were not different ( = 0.79, 0.

Rosuvastatin/calcium carbonate co-precipitated nanoparticles: A novel synergistic approach enhancing local bone regeneration in osteoporotic rat model.

This study aimed at preparing sustained release rosuvastatin (Ru) calcium carbonate (CC) co-precipitate nano-formulation for local intra-osseous application in osteoporotic rats. Nano-formulations were prepared by the co-precipitation method using different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (0.2, 0.

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells restored GLUT1 expression in the submandibular salivary glands of ovariectomized rats.

Objective: Loss of ovarian function in menopause is commonly associated with salivary gland dysfunction. The aim is to study the possible therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on the altered structure of the submandibular salivary glands (SMGs) of ovariectomized rats.

Design: Twenty-four female, adult, Wistar rats were used and distributed into three groups (8 rats/group).

Locally injected bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells reverts the histopathological changes in the tongue of carbimazole-induced hypothyroidism of male rats.

Objective: To decipher the role of locally injected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in the tongue of hypothyroid rats.

Design: A total 24 male Wister rats were utilized and allocated into 3 groups (n = 8). As for the control group, rats received distilled water via oral gavage.

Epicardial Fat Volume as a Good Predictor for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease.

Introduction: Epicardial adipose tissue may have an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aim: We aimed to study the association between epicardial fat volume (EFV) and presence of obstructive as well as multivessel CAD.

Methods: A total of 87 adult subjects with suspected CAD who underwent both quantified by multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) and Invasive Coronary Angiography (ICA) were enrolled in this observational study.

Assessment of the possible ameliorative effect of curcumin nanoformulation on the submandibular salivary gland of alloxan-induced diabetes in a rat model (Light microscopic and ultrastructural study).

Background: Nowadays, attention is directed to herbal treatments in an attempt to lessen the adverse effects of diabetes. Nanoformulation of curcumin (NC) was shown to enhance stability and water solubility compared to native curcumin.

Objective: To examine the effect of different NC concentrations on the histopathological structure of the submandibular salivary gland of diabetic rats.

Loss of BMP2 and BMP4 Signaling in the Dental Epithelium Causes Defective Enamel Maturation and Aberrant Development of Ameloblasts.

BMP signaling is crucial for differentiation of secretory ameloblasts, the cells that secrete enamel matrix. However, whether BMP signaling is required for differentiation of maturation-stage ameloblasts (MA), which are instrumental for enamel maturation into hard tissue, is hitherto unknown. To address this, we used an in vivo genetic approach which revealed that combined deactivation of the and genes in the murine dental epithelium causes development of dysmorphic and dysfunctional MA.

Roxadustat Versus Epoetin Alfa for Treating Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on Dialysis: Results from the Randomized Phase 3 ROCKIES Study.

Background: Concerns regarding cardiovascular safety with current treatments for anemia in patients with dialysis-dependent (DD)-CKD have encouraged the development of alternatives. Roxadustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, stimulates erythropoiesis by increasing endogenous erythropoietin and iron availability.

Methods: In this open-label phase 3 study, patients with DD-CKD and anemia were randomized 1:1 to oral roxadustat three times weekly or parenteral epoetin alfa per local clinic practice.

Estradiol and RSPO3 regulate vertebral trabecular bone mass independent of each other.

Osteoporosis is an age-dependent serious skeletal disease that leads to great suffering for the patient and high social costs, especially as the global population reaches higher age. Decreasing estrogen levels after menopause result in a substantial bone loss and increased fracture risk, whereas estrogen treatment improves bone mass in women. RSPO3, a secreted protein that modulates WNT signaling, increases trabecular bone mass and strength in the vertebrae of mice, and is associated with trabecular density and risk of distal forearm fractures in humans.

Towards a Rational Balanced Pancreatic and Islet Allocation Schema.

Allocation of donated organs for transplantation is a complex process that considers numerous factors such as donor, organ and candidate characteristics and practical issues such as geography. Whole pancreas and isolated islet transplantation are lifesaving for certain individuals with diabetes. Herein, we suggest a revised allocation schema that matches donor characteristics with candidate medical condition while allowing for geographic considerations.

WNT16 is Robustly Increased by Oncostatin M in Mouse Calvarial Osteoblasts and Acts as a Negative Feedback Regulator of Osteoclast Formation Induced by Oncostatin M.

Background: Bone loss is often observed adjacent to inflammatory processes. The WNT signaling pathways have been implicated as novel regulators of both immune responses and bone metabolism. WNT16 is important for cortical bone mass by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, and we have here investigated the regulation of WNT16 by several members of the pro-inflammatory gp130 cytokine family.

Influence of adding vitamin D3 to standard clarithromycin-based triple therapy on the eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background And Study Aims: The successful eradication rates with standard clarithromycin-based triple therapy are declining concerning the high antibiotic resistance rate and adverse drug reactions. This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on the eradication rates of the standard clarithromycin-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.

Patients And Methods: This is a randomized prospective comparative study of 150 patients diagnosed with H.

RSPO3 is important for trabecular bone and fracture risk in mice and humans.

With increasing age of the population, countries across the globe are facing a substantial increase in osteoporotic fractures. Genetic association signals for fractures have been reported at the RSPO3 locus, but the causal gene and the underlying mechanism are unknown. Here we show that the fracture reducing allele at the RSPO3 locus associate with increased RSPO3 expression both at the mRNA and protein levels, increased trabecular bone mineral density and reduced risk mainly of distal forearm fractures in humans.

Excess epicardial fat volume in women is a novel risk marker for microvascular dysfunction, which may be a contributing factor in the atypical chest pain syndrome.

Background: Excess epicardial fat volume (EFV) has been recently implicated in cardiovascular structural and functional abnormalities. It has been associated with abnormal microvascular stiffness (as reflected by radial artery waveform; C2), which may result in microvascular dysfunction and contribute to the atypical chest pain syndrome without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Women have been statistically shown to present with atypical chest pain more often than men and specifically without obstructive CAD.

Osteocyte- and late osteoblast-derived NOTUM reduces cortical bone mass in mice.

Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disease, with increased risk of fractures. Currently available osteoporosis treatments reduce the risk of vertebral fractures, mainly dependent on trabecular bone, whereas the effect on nonvertebral fractures, mainly dependent on cortical bone, is less pronounced. WNT signaling is a crucial regulator of bone homeostasis, and the activity of WNTs is inhibited by NOTUM, a secreted WNT lipase.

Roxadustat for Treating Anemia in Patients with CKD Not on Dialysis: Results from a Randomized Phase 3 Study.

Background: Current anemia therapies for patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD may require injection and medical visits. Roxadustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, stimulates erythropoiesis and improves iron homeostasis.

Methods: In this double-blind phase 3 study, we randomized patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD stages 3-5 and hemoglobin <10.

The Influence of Adding Diphenhydramine Before Initiation of Moderate Sedation with Midazolam and Pethidine for Improving Quality of Colonoscopy.

Background: Combination of Intravenous benzodiazepines with opiates appears to be essential in order to guarantee high quality of moderate sedation during colonoscopy. Diphenhydramine is recommended for endoscopic procedures in difficult-to-sedate patients However, the studies supporting its use have yielded conflicting results.

Objective: To assess the value of adding diphenhydramine hydrochloride before initiation of moderate sedation with midazolam and pethidine for Improving Quality of Sedation during colonoscopy.

The Efficacy of Argon Plasma Coagulation versus Carvedilol for Treatment of Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy.

Background/aim: Several treatment options have been developed for portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG); medications and endoscopic management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) versus Carvedilol in treatment of a cohort of Egyptian patients with severe PHG.

Methods: A total of 130 patients with severe PHG were enrolled; 10 patients were excluded due to death and failure to complete the treatment sessions accordingly, 120 patients were included.

Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Is Required for Cyp26 Expression during Embryonic Development.

Deciphering how signaling pathways interact during development is necessary for understanding the etiopathogenesis of congenital malformations and disease. In several embryonic structures, components of the Hedgehog and retinoic acid pathways, two potent players in development and disease are expressed and operate in the same or adjacent tissues and cells. Yet whether and, if so, how these pathways interact during organogenesis is, to a large extent, unclear.

A radical switch in clonality reveals a stem cell niche in the epiphyseal growth plate.

Longitudinal bone growth in children is sustained by growth plates, narrow discs of cartilage that provide a continuous supply of chondrocytes for endochondral ossification. However, it remains unknown how this supply is maintained throughout childhood growth. Chondroprogenitors in the resting zone are thought to be gradually consumed as they supply cells for longitudinal growth, but this model has never been proved.

The effect of vitamin D deficiency on eradication rates of infection.

Background/aim: Many studies have investigated risk factors other than antibiotic resistance linked to () eradication failure. The aim of this study was to study the effect of serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25[OH]D) on eradication rates of infection.

Methods: This study included 150 patients diagnosed with gastritis using magnifying narrow-band imaging endoscopy supported by stool antigen test.

Adiponectin level changes among Egyptians with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background And Aim: Visceral fat is an important endocrine organ that secretes different bioactive substances such as adipocytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the adiponectin level changes among patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)and its consequence on pathogenesis.

Methods: In this study, 150 subjects were selected and divided into four groups: Group І ( = 40) were healthy individuals with an average body mass index and had no gastrointestinal tract symptoms; Group ІІ ( = 50) were patients with mild to moderate erosive esophagitis; Group ІІІ ( = 40) were patients with severe erosive esophagitis; and finally, Group ІV ( = 20) were patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a marker for disease activity in lupus nephritis.

The neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been emerging as a novel biomarker of acute kidney injury while its value in lupus nephritis is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess urinary NGAL levels as a marker for disease activity in patients with lupus nephritis.This study included 70 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients; 50 with active lupus nephritis (LN) and 20 without as well as 20 matched controls.