Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein as a non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aim: The current study purposed to evaluate serum COMP (Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) as a diagnostic marker for HCC in patients with cirrhosis and to correlate it with other parameters of disease progression.

Background: COMP is known to promote fibrosis in various tissues. Emerging evidence shows that COMP plays critical roles in tumor development.

Serum Visfatin as a Diagnostic Marker of Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have been reported to be caused by a complex interplay of immunological, infectious, and genetic factors. Previous studies have suggested that adipokines play a role in IBD by inducing proinflammatory cytokines. We aimed to evaluate the role of visfatin in the diagnosis algorithm of active IBD.

Analysis of FHIT gene methylation in egyptian breast cancer women: association with clinicopathological features.

Background: Fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene is a tumor suppressor gene which involved in breast cancer pathogenesis. Epigenetics alterations in FHIT contributes to tumorigenesis of breast cancer.

Objective: Our objective was to study FHIT promoter region hypermethylation in Egyptian breast cancer patients and its association with clinicopathological features.

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ2 gene Pro12Ala gene polymorphism in type 2 diabetes and its relationship with diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Despite intensive research, a genetic background of type 2 diabetes is still unknown as are causes of differences in the clinical course of the disease. This supports the hypothesis for factors of genetic susceptibility (or protection) to diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to examine the association between Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPARgamma2 gene with both type 2 diabetes and the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Clinical relevance of serum endoglin level in Egyptian hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), preferential expression of endoglin on endothelial cells of the tumor vasculature versus neoplastic cells has led to the suggestion that it originates from the neovasculature and plays an important role in angiogenesis. Our study aimed to evaluate the role of serum endoglin in the diagnosis of HCC and to correlate it with other studied prognostic markers.

Methods: Sixty hepatocellular carcinoma patients were studied, 60 cirrhotic patients and 45 matched healthy controls.

HE4 and mesothelin: novel biomarkers of ovarian carcinoma in patients with pelvic masses.

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of novel serum tumor markers, HE4 and mesothelin either alone or in combination with CA125 in diagnosis and early detection of ovarian carcinoma in patients with pelvic masses.

Subjects And Methods: Sera were obtained preoperatively from 65 women underwent surgery for a pelvic mass and 25 age- and menopausal status-matched healthy women. All samples were analyzed for levels of CA125, HE4, and mesothelin by serum based immunoassays and patients results were compared to final pathology findings.

Plasma osteopontin as a predictor of coronary artery disease: association with echocardiographic characteristics of atherosclerosis.

Osteopontin (OPN), a bone-related protein, is present within the atherosclerotic plaques, most strikingly in calcified plaques. Valvular calcifications are accepted as a part of the spectrum of atherosclerosis and are associated with atherosclerotic calcification in the coronary arteries. The study aimed to evaluate the association of plasma OPN with the presence and extent of coronary stenosis, mitral annular calcification (MAC), and aortic valve sclerosis in stable angina patients.

Association of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) -374 T/A gene polymorphism and circulating soluble RAGE with nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients.

The binding of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) to their receptor (RAGE) may play an important role in the development of diabetic vascular complications. Circulating soluble RAGE (sRAGE) reflects tissue RAGE expression. We examined circulating sRAGE and RAGE -374 T/A gene promoter polymorphism in type 1 diabetic patients and explored their possible associations with the development of nephropathy.