Association between arachidonate lipoxygenase 15,c.-292 C > T gene polymorphism and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in children: a pilot study on the effects on airway lipoxin A4 and disease phenotype.

Background: Persistent airway inflammation is a central feature of bronchiectasis. Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX-15) controls production of endogenous lipid mediators, including lipoxins that regulate airway inflammation. Mutations at various positions in ALOX-15 gene can influence airway disease development.

Acetylsalicylic Acid Suppresses Alcoholism-Induced Cognitive Impairment Associated with Atorvastatin Intake by Targeting Cerebral miRNA155 and NLRP3: In Vivo, and In Silico Study.

Alcoholism is one of the most common diseases that can lead to the development of several chronic diseases including steatosis, and cognitive dysfunction. Statins are lipid-lowering drugs that are commonly prescribed for patients with fatty liver diseases; however, the exact effect of statins on cognitive function is still not fully understood. In the present study, we have investigated the molecular and microscopic basis of cognitive impairment induced by alcohol and/or Atorvastatin (ATOR) administration to male Wistar albino rats and explored the possible protective effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

Modulation of hippocampal TLR4/BDNF signal pathway using probiotics is a step closer towards treating cognitive impairment in NASH model.

Background And Aim: Disturbance of gut microbiota plays a role in induction and progression of non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the associated cognitive dysfunction. We supposed that high fat diet (HFD)-induced dysbiosis may lead to NASH/cognitive impairment co-morbidities through hippocampal TLR4/BDNF signaling pathway and the regaining of microbiota balance through probiotics could provide a therapeutic option.

Methodology: Four groups of male Wister rats were used; Naïve, Lactobacillus Plantarum EMCC-1039 (LP EMCC-1039), NASH and NASH+ LP EMCC-1039 groups.

Involvement of TLR4/ CXCL9/ PREX-2 pathway in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the promising role of early administration of lactobacillus plantarum in Wistar rats.

Background And Aim: Improvement of gut microbiota may help in preventing the progression of cirrhosis. We supposed that Lactobacillus Plantarum (L. Plantarum) protects the cirrhotic liver through suppression of TLR4/ CXCL9/ PREX-2.

Insight into the possible role of miR-214 in primary osteoporosis via osterix.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by chronic pain and recurrent fractures. Osterix is a transcription factor regulating bone formation. miR-214 was found to have a role in skeletogenesis.

The potential regulatory role of miR16 to the interplay between interferon and transforming growth factor beta pathways through IRF3 and SMAD7 in hepatitis C virus infected patients.

Background: The defensive strategy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection depends on two antiviral pathways; interferon (IFN) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). We aimed at verifying the relation between TGFβ and IFN antiviral pathways in HCV infection through SMAD7 and IRF3, and whether a possible regulatory role for microRNA-16 (miR16) on the interplay between IFN and TGFβ signaling pathways exists or not.

Methods: We evaluated miR16, IRF3 and SMAD7 expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction in HCV infected patients and age and gender matched healthy controls.

Insights into hepatic and renal FXR/DDAH-1/eNOS pathway and its role in the potential benefit of rosuvastatin and silymarin in hepatic nephropathy.

Objectives: The repression of renal Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) had been shown to result from lack of bile acid production from cirrhotic liver. We hypothesized that silymarin and rosuvastatin (Rvs) could have a hepatorenal therapeutic effects in hepatic nephropathy through induction of FXR.

Methods: Forty two male Wistar rats were used; naïve (n = 12); six of them were sacrificed after 4 weeks and six continued till the end of the experiment.

Targeting HMGB1/TLR4 axis and miR-21 by rosuvastatin: role in alleviating cholestatic liver injury in a rat model of bile duct ligation.

Many pathways are involved in the association between biliary obstruction and liver injury. We investigated the intervention influence and effect of rosuvastatin (Rvs) on the high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1)/toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) axis and microRNA-21 (miR-21) in cholestatic liver injury. This model was performed by ligating common bile duct of Wistar rats.

Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome via acetylsalicylic acid: Role in suppressing hepatic dysfunction and insulin resistance induced by atorvastatin in naïve versus alcoholic liver in rats.

Background: NLRP3 inflammasome is described in many pathological conditions and is also involved in drug induced liver injury.

Aim Of The Work: To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in liver injury induced by chronic alcohol and/or atorvastatin ingestion.

Materials And Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were used.

Wild-Type Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 Over-Expression is Related to Cancer Stem Cells Survival in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Altered metabolism is one of the characteristics of cancer cells. We evaluated the expression of wild-type Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and the cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker CD44 by real-time PCR and levels of reduced form of glutathione in lung biopsies of 32 adenocarcinoma patients and 18 control subjects. We found that IDH1 and CD44 expression and the levels of reduced form of glutathione were significantly higher in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

The protective effect of pentoxifylline versus silymarin on the pancreas through increasing adenosine by CD39 in a rat model of liver cirrhosis: Pharmacological, biochemical and histological study.

Impaired glucose homoeostasis due to insulin resistance and decrease sensitivity of pancreatic β-cells is a feature of liver disease and results into hepatogenous diabetes. Decrease expression of CD39 was linked to inflammation and occurrence of diabetes. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the protective effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) and silymarin administration on the β-cells of the pancreas in a rat model of thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis.

Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors and Reprogramming of Adipogenesis: An Early-Life Risk Factor for Childhood Obesity.

Obesity is a global health problem. It is characterized by excess adipose tissue that results from either increase in the number of adipocytes or increase in adipocytes size. Adipocyte differentiation is a highly regulated process that involves the activation of several transcription factors culminating in the removal of adipocytes from the cell cycle and induction of highly specific proteins.

Up-regulation of circulating miRNA146a correlates with viral load via IRAK1 and TRAF6 in hepatitis C virus-infected patients.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a life threatening human pathogen. It has been found that miRNA146a regulates innate immunity, inflammatory response and antiviral pathway. We evaluated miRNA146a expression by real-time PCR and IL-1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) levels by ELISA in serum of 36 HCV viremia patients and 42 age and gender matched healthy controls.

Potential involvement of JNK1 repression in the hepatic effect of sitagliptin and metformin in rats subjected to high fat diet and chronic mild distress.

Background: Depression and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly co-morbid, and hepatic JNK pathway may be involved in their relation.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of depression on NASH through the involvement of JNK1 and to assess the effect of sitagliptin and metformin on hepatic JNK1 expression in both NASH and NASH associated with depression.

Methods: Eight groups of male Wistar rats were used: naïve rats, non-stressed NASH, non-stressed NASH sitagliptin treated, non-stressed NASH metformin treated, stressed, stressed NASH untreated, stressed NASH sitagliptin treated and stressed NASH metformin treated.

The Association Between Circulating Levels of miRNA-181a and Pancreatic Beta Cells Dysfunction via SMAD7 in Type 1 Diabetic Children and Adolescents.

Background: miRNA-181a has been implicated in autoimmunity and apoptosis. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore its possible role in pancreatic beta-cells dysfunction.

Methods: miRNA-181a expression was evaluated by real-time PCR in serum of 40 type 1 diabetic children and adolescents and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Association Between CD14 Polymorphism (-1145G/A) and Childhood Bronchial Asthma.

Polymorphisms in the promoter region of CD14 gene have been associated with asthma and atopy although the findings between cohorts have not been uniform. We aimed at investigating the association between CD14 gene (-1145G/A) polymorphism and bronchial asthma in Egyptian children. Genotyping of CD14 gene (-1145G/A) polymorphism was done by real-time PCR in 192 asthmatic children (atopic, n = 100 and non-atopic, n = 92) and 181 age- and gender-matched healthy children.

The diagnostic efficacy of nectin 4 expression in ovarian cancer patients.

Context: Nectin 4 plays a significant role in cancer cell growth and invasion.

Objective: To explore its diagnostic role in ovarian cancer.

Materials And Methods: Evaluation of nectin 4 expression in ovarian biopsies by real-time PCR and serum nectin 4 and CA-125 by ELISA in 39 ovarian cancer patients, 21 females with benign ovarian neoplasms and 25 control females.

Serum level of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products in asthmatic children and its correlation to severity and pulmonary functions.

Background: Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) acts as a decoy receptor for RAGE which has several distinct pro-inflammatory ligands in the extracellular compartment, and is believed to afford protection against inflammation and cell injury. This study was conducted to measure serum sRAGE in asthmatic children and to assess its correlation with clinical and functional severity and to asthma phenotype according to sputum cytology.

Methods: The study was conducted on 60 asthmatic children from the Pediatric Chest Clinic, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University.

Evaluation of nestin in lung adenocarcinoma: relation to VEGF and Bcl-2.

Context: Nestin is a marker of multipotent precursor cells that is up regulated in cancer.

Objective: To explore its diagnostic role and its relationship to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Bcl-2 in lung adenocarcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Evaluation of nestin expression in lung biopsies by real-time PCR and serum VEGF and Bcl-2 by ELISA in 27 adenocarcinoma patients and 15 control subjects.