Comparison of Serum Levels of 14-3-3 ETA Proteins between Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Normal Controls.

14-3-3 ETA protein, a joint-derived biomarker that up-regulates inflammatory cytokines which enhances local and systemic inflammation and may lead to destructive changes in joints, is thought to be a good diagnostic marker for early RA. To assess the usefulness of serum levels of 14-3-3 ETA in the diagnosis of RA. This is a case-control study which involved 3 groups: group 1 included 30 RA patients, group 2 included 30 primary osteoarthritis patients and group 3 included 30 healthy controls.

Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on neutrophil oxidative burst function in hemodialysis patients.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) functions have been studied extensively in hemodialysis (HD) patients; however, results are contradictory and the mechanisms that modulate phagocytosis and oxidative burst are not completely understood. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a frequent complication of HD that may be associated with disturbed PMN function; however, the impact of HCV infection on neutrophil oxidative burst function in HD patients is unknown. We investigated Neutrophil oxidative burst function in 24 HD patients (15 HCV-positive and, 9 HCV-negative patients) before and after dialysis.

Real-time PCR and flow cytometry in detection of Cyclospora oocysts in fecal samples of symptomatic and asymptomatic pediatrics patients.

The magnitude of Cyclospora oocysts excretion in relation to infection intensity among cyclosporiasis patients was assessed using flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Oocysts from stool samples of 25 (14.8%) gastro-intestinal symptomatic pediatrics patients (169) and of 10 (2.

TT virus infection among Egyptian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) have been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, a novel DNA virus was isolated from a patient with posttransfusion hepatitis of unknown etiology and designated TT virus (TTV). To examine whether this virus is associated with HCC, we investigated sera from 82 Egyptian patients with histopathologically-diagnosed HCC.

IL-10 and IL-12p40 in Egyptian patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide with a prevalence of approximately 14% in Egypt. IL-10 is a cytokine produced by Th2 cells. It down-regulates the proinflammatory response and modulates hepatic fibrogenesis.