Role of micro-RNAs 21, 124 and other novel biomarkers in distinguishing between group 1 WHO pulmonary hypertension and group 2, 3 WHO pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension "PH" is considered a serious cardiovascular disease. World Health Organization divided PH into groups depending on many factors like pathological, hemodynamic, and clinical pictures. Lately, various micro-RNAs "miRNAs" and other novel biomarkers like endoglin and asymmetric dimethylarginine "ADMA" might have a role in diagnosis of PH and may differentiate between pulmonary arterial hypertension "PAH" and non-PAH.

Current and novel modalities for management of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Over 296 million people are estimated to have chronic hepatitis B viral infection (CHB), and it poses unique challenges for elimination. CHB is the result of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific immune tolerance and the presence of covalently closed circular DNA as mini chromosome inside the nucleus and the integrated HBV. Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen is the best surrogate marker for intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA.

Impact of lifestyle modification on glycemic control and cognitive function among Type II diabetes mellitus patients.

Aim: Assessing impact of lifestyle modification on Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) glycemic control and cognitive function.

Subjects & Methods: Prospective study was conducted on T2DM patients (92 patients as interventional group and 92 patients conventional therapy).

Results: After 6 months, significant improvements of HbA1c, oxidant and antioxidant, lipid profile, and cognitive function among only the interventional group (p < 0.

Impact of direct-acting antiviral regimens on hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of liver disease and is associated with various extrahepatic manifestations (EHMs). This mini-review outlines the currently available treatments for HCV infection and their prognostic effect on hepatic manifestations and EHMs. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens are considered pan-genotypic as they achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) > 85% after 12 wk through all the major HCV genotypes, with high percentages of SVR even in advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Multiple infections with hepatitis A virus and development of rheumatoid arthritis among waste water treatment plant workers.

Introduction: In the present work, we studied the association between multiple exposure of waste water treatment plant workers to infection with existing hepatitis A virus in waste water and development of rheumatoid arthritis, taking in consideration number of working years as an indicator for frequency of exposure to infection, compared to non waste water treatment plant workers.

Methodology: A total of 105 waste water treatment plant workers and 48 NWWTPWs were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were positivity for HBV and/or HCV IgG, negativity to HAV IgG and suffering from rheumatic diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis.

Correction: Plasma microRNAs biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Plasma microRNAs biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To assess the potential value of some miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among patients with type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to identify other risk factors for MCI among them.

Methods: This study enrolled 163 adults with T2DM using face to face interview. Cognitive function with its domains was assessed using Adenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE III).

Association of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor isotypes with HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles in Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Introduction: The most common genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is human leucocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1) shared epitope (SE).

Aim: To investigate the relationship between anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), rheumatoid factor (RF), immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM and IgA and HLA-DRB1 SE among Egyptian patients with RA.

Methods: Serum levels of anti-CCP antibodies and RFIgG, RFIgM, RFIgA were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 157 Egyptian RA patients and 150 healthy controls attending the outpatient clinics of National Research Center and Kasr El Aini Hospital.

Risk Factors Associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment among Apparently Healthy People and the Role of MicroRNAs.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal ageing and the serious decline of dementia.

Aim: To identify risk factors and role of miRNAs associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among employees.

Subjects And Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 186 employees aged between 40 and 65 years.

Increased level of B cell differentiation factor in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Unlabelled: Most autoimmune disease are driven by a dysfunction in T and B cells, but B cells are still an interesting area of research, perturbations in their development are implicated in autoimmune diseases. B cell differentiating factor (BCDF) plays a part in the differentiation of B cells. The aim was To assess the levels of BCDF, IgM and IgG in SLE patients and whether they have any peculiarity in the clinical context of SLE.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (T786C and G894T) polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Genetic factors play important role in the development of type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene is responsible for the bioavailability of nitric oxide and endothelial function.

Aim: To assess the association of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (T786C and G894T) single nucleotide polymorphisms with Egyptian type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy.

CD33 HLA-DR Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Are Increased in Frequency in the Peripheral Blood of Type1 Diabetes Patients with Predominance of CD14 Subset.

Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that results from the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas by autoreactive T cells. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that can potently suppress T cell responses.

Aim: To detect the presence of MDSCs in T1D and compare their percentage in T1D versus healthy individuals.

Expression of JAZF1, ABCC8, KCNJ11and Notch2 genes and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes, and their association with microvascular complications.

Background: We studied JAZF1, ABCC8, KCNJ11and Notch2 gene expression and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (Fok1 and Bsm1) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and tried to find out their association with microvascular complications in these patients.

Methods: The study was conducted on 180 patients (93 complicated and 87 noncomplicated) and 150 healthy subjects. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess gene expression and real-time PCR was used to detect VDR genotypes.

Association of STAT4 rs7574865 and PTPN22 rs2476601 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis and non-systemically reacting antibodies in Egyptian patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate association of protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) rs2476601 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) rs7574865 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility and to assess potential association with the status of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, serum neopterin, and disease activity. RF, anti-CCP antibodies, and neopterin were assayed in serum of 100 unrelated RA patients and 114 controls. STAT4 rs7574865 G/T and PTPN22 rs2476601 C/T polymorphisms were genotyped by the TaqMan allelic discrimination method.

Precision Phenotyping in Heart Failure and Pattern Clustering of Ultrasound Data for the Assessment of Diastolic Dysfunction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether cluster analysis of left atrial and left ventricular (LV) mechanical deformation parameters provide sufficient information for Doppler-independent assessment of LV diastolic function.

Background: Medical imaging produces substantial phenotyping data, and superior computational analyses could allow automated classification of repetitive patterns into patient groups with similar behavior.

Methods: The authors performed a cluster analysis and developed a model of LV diastolic function from an initial exploratory cohort of 130 patients that was subsequently tested in a prospective cohort of 44 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Assessment of the (rs1800795) and (rs1800796) Gene Polymorphisms in Egyptian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate genotype and allele frequencies of -174 (rs1800795) and (rs1800796) promoter gene polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison to control group.

Methods: The study was conducted on 198 Egyptian subjects (99 RA patients and 99 healthy control). The promoter region of gene was amplified by PCR using DNAs from patients and the controls, and their PCR products were digested by suitable enzymes.

Association of PTPN22 1858C→T polymorphism, HLA-DRB1 shared epitope and autoantibodies with rheumatoid arthritis.

To assess impact of PTPN22 1858C→T polymorphism, HLA shared epitope and autoantibodies on susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 150 RA patients and 150 controls were included in the study. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor isotypes (IgG, IgM and IgA) were assayed by ELISA.

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Background: Lipoprotein-related mechanisms have been associated with damage to the cardiovascular system in diabetic patients. Apolipoprotein E gene which affects the clearance of lipoproteins and consequently the lipid profile in our body is one of the most studied candidate genes and recently has been reported to be associated with T2DM and CAD. In this work, we studied the association of apoE gene polymorphism with T2DM and CVD and its effect on plasma lipids profile.

Radius of proximal isovelocity surface area in the assessment of rheumatic mitral stenosis: Connecting flow to anatomy and hemodynamics.

Background: Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial pressure (LAP) in mitral stenosis (MS) is controversial. We sought to examine the role of the radius of the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA-r) in the assessment of the hemodynamic status of MS after fixing the aliasing velocity (Val).

Methods And Results: We studied 42 candidates of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV), for whom pre-BMV echocardiography was done and LAP invasively measured before dilatation.

Tissue Doppler-Derived Myocardial Acceleration during Isovolumetric Contraction Predicts Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure in Patients with Significant Mitral Regurgitation.

The aim of this study was to determine whether isovolumic contraction velocity (IVV) and acceleration (IVA) predict pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in mitral regurgitation. Forty-four patients with mitral regurgitation were studied. PCWP was invasively measured.

Controlled porosity osmotic pump system for the delivery of diclofenac sodium: in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation.

The objective of this study was to develop controlled porosity osmotic pump (CPOP) tablets of diclofenac sodium (DS). The influence of different cores (polymers and osmogens) and coats (thickness and porosigen content) on DS release were studied. Results revealed that decreasing HPMC viscosity grade from 4000cp (K4M) to 15cp (E15) increased DS release.

Serum B-cell activating factor assessment in a population of Egyptian patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare systemic connective tissue disease characterized by abnormal fibroblast proliferation and micro-vascular inflammatory changes.

Aim: To assess serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels in patients with systemic sclerosis and to correlate this with disease features and disease severity.

Methods: This is a case-control study in which patients with the established diagnosis of SSc were recruited.