Clinical Utility of Cytokeratins for Accurate Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among Hepatitis C Virus High-Risk Patients.

Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver and a global health problem. It is often diagnosed at advanced stage where hopeless for effective therapies. Identification of more reliable biomarkers for early detection of HCC is urgently needed.

Diagnostic Performance of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among HCV High-Risk Patients.

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often diagnosed at advanced stage where hopeless for effective therapies. Identification of more reliable biomarkers for early detection of HCC is urgently needed. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a unique liquid biopsy carrying comprehensive biological information of the primary tumor.

Diagnostic Performance of Circulating Tumor Cells for Predicting of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis C Virus-High Risk Patients: Role of Liquid Biopsy.

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver and a global health problem. It is often diagnosed at advanced stage where hopeless for effective therapies. Identification of more reliable biomarkers for early detection of HCC is urgently needed.

In vivo Study of a Newly Synthesized Chromen-4-one Derivative as an Antitumor Agent against HCC.

Background: Chromenes are a wide group of natural compounds that can be synthesized chemically. The chromen-4-one nucleus acts as a skeleton for varieties of additional active groups that makes the chromene activity vary between antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. In the present study, a newly synthesized chromene compound exhibits different behaviors other than anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities that it is the first time that a member of chromen-4-one compound can control the cancer progress.

Diagnostic accuracy of hepatocyte growth factor, Fas/CD95 and Endostatin for non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis in biopsy-proven hepatitis C virus patients.

Background/aim: Evaluation of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients (CHC) provides a high value, not only for the diagnosis of the disease, but also for the therapeutic decision. The aim of the current study is the construction of simple non-invasive and more accurate score for liver fibrosis staging in CHC patients and estimating its performance against three published non-invasive indexes.

Material And Methods: CHC patients were divided into two groups: an estimated group (n = 75) and validated group (n = 50).

New Biomarkers as Prognostic Factors for Cardiovascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

This study was initiated to explore some novel biomarkers like pro-inflammatory markers (chemerin and visfatin) and anti-inflammatory marker (omentin-1) as prognostic factors for cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients. Forty diabetic patients without cardiovascular disease, 40 diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease and twenty healthy control counterparts were included in this study. Serum chemerin, omentin-1 and visfatin levels were quantified.

Diagnostic performance of extrinsic apoptosis pathway in hepatitis C virus patients: apoptosis fibrosis crosstalk.

Background/aim: Liver fibrosis assessment and evaluation of disease severity in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients provides useful information for therapeutic decisions. Chronic HCV infection is associated with increased levels of peripheral T cell apoptosis. The aim was to study whether peripheral blood T lymphocyte apoptosis markers may contribute to clinical progression, and develop a simple index based on combination of apoptosis and routine biomarkers for accurate evaluation of fibrosis stages in HCV patients.

Effects of zinc supplementation on oxidant/antioxidant and lipids status of pesticides sprayers.

Background Excess exposure to pesticides induces oxidative stress and causes alteration in the lipid profile Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zinc (Zn) supplementation on the oxidant/antioxidant and lipid status in pesticide sprayers. Methods Forty pesticide sprayers were included in the study. Blood lipids, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Zn were estimated; before and after Zn supplementation.

Evaluation of urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine level in experimental Alzheimer's disease: Impact of carvacrol nanoparticles.

The present study aimed to compare the effect of carvacrol essential oil and carvacrol nanoemulsion against experimental Alzheimer's (AD). Forty male albino rats were used and divided into four groups as follow: control, AlCl induced AD, carvacrol oil treated and carvacrol nanoemulsion treated groups. Brain nor-epinephrine, serotonin and dopamine were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Regression of murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma using synthesized cobalt complex.

Cisplatin as a chief chemotherapy has nephro-toxicity and so we have tried to develop a novel antitumor drug based on a combination of cobalt metal ion with an organic moiety. The antitumor activity of the complex was tested and against murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Antioxidant capacity and nucleic acids content were determined.

Acetylcholinesterases from entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditid bacteriophora: Susceptibility to insecticides and immunological characteristics.

Acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) from the infective juveniles (IJs) of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) have been investigated with respect to their susceptibility to insecticides and immunological characteristics, aiming at nominating the most compatible insecticide(s) to be used in conjunction with the most insecticide-tolerant EPN strain before incorporation in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. The inhibition kinetics of two purified AChE isoenzymes, AChEAII and AChEBI isolated from Heterorhabditid bacteriophora EM2 strain, by different insecticides revealed that the insensitivity to inhibition by such insecticides could be arranged in a descending order as; methomyl>carbofuran>acetamiprid>oxamyl>malathion. Except for malathion, the insecticides competitively inhibited AChEs with Ki values ranging from 0.

Noninvasive estimation of liver fibrosis in biopsy-proven hepatitis C virus-infected patients: angiogenic fibrogenic link.

Background/aim: The assessment of liver fibrosis provides useful information not only for diagnosis but also for therapeutic decisions. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a predictive score named the angiogenic index (Angio-Index) for liver fibrosis staging and to compare Angio-Index by King, Gotebörg University Cirrhosis Index, Lok, FIB-4, and aspartate aminotranferase/alanine aminotranferase scores in hepatitis C virus-infected patients.

Patients And Methods: Serum levels of angiopoietin-2, basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and endostatin were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 122 HCV patients represented in two sets (estimation group and validation group).

Biochemical and molecular evidences for the antitumor potential of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract in rodents.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest primary cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of 10% or less. This study was undertaken to elucidate the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms in favor of N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, the aim of this work was extended to explore the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract in deterioration of HCC in rats.

Role of mesenchymal stem cells versus angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in kidney repair.

Aim: The current study sought to clarify the role of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) in repressing nephropathy in the experimental model. Moreover, the aim of this work was extended to compare between stem cells role and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in kidney repair.

Methods: Isolation and preparation of MSCs culture, flow cytometry using CD34, CD44 and CD105 cell surface markers, biochemical analyses for determination of serum creatinine, urea, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), cystatin C (CYS-C) and urinary N-Acetyl-ß-D-Glucosaminidase (UNAG), and histopathological investigation of kidney tissue sections were performed.

Diagnostic performance of T lymphocyte subpopulations in assessment of liver fibrosis stages in hepatitis C virus patients: simple noninvasive score.

Background/aims: Evaluation of liver fibrosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus is highly useful for the diagnosis of the disease as well as therapeutic decision. Our aim was to develop and validate a simple noninvasive score for liver fibrosis staging in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and compare its performance against three published simple noninvasive indexes.

Materials And Methods: CHC patients were divided into two groups: an estimated group (n=70) and a validated group (n=52).

The activity of detoxifying enzymes in the infective juveniles of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strains: Purification and characterization of two acetylcholinesterases.

The infectivity and detoxifying enzyme activities including glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CaE) are investigated in the infective juveniles (IJs) of six different strains of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora as a biocontrol agent against insect pests. The specific activities ranged from 10.8-29.

Implications of Sex Hormone Receptor Gene Expression in the Predominance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Males: Role of Natural Products.

The present study was planned to investigate the role of sex hormone receptor gene expression in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups. Group (1) was negative control.

Diagnostic performance of collagen IV and laminin for the prediction of fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients: a multicenter study.

Background/aim: To date, liver biopsy has been the gold standard used for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a panel of simple blood markers of liver fibrosis and the development a novel score to replace liver biopsy.

Patients And Methods: Liver biochemical profile including transaminases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin, in addition to platelet count, was evaluated using standard methods in 305 chronic hepatitis C patients.

Curcumin: a unique antioxidant offers a multimechanistic approach for management of hepatocellular carcinoma in rat model.

This study was designed to investigate the role of curcumin against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced in rats. Forty rats were divided into five groups. Group (1) was negative control.

Biochemical evaluation of hyaluronic acid in breast cancer.

Background: The latest experimental studies on human cancer diseases have observed the bioactive role of hyaluronic acid (HA) during carcinogenesis. HA is a component of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). It is closely correlated with tumor cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis.

Development of a novel score for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma among high-risk hepatitis C virus patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often diagnosed at advanced stage where effective therapies are lacking. Identification of new scoring system is needed to discriminate HCC patients from those with chronic liver disease. Based on the link between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and HCC progression, we aimed to develop a novel score based on combination of VEGF and routine laboratory tests for early prediction of HCC.

A novel discriminant score based on tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor for accurate diagnosis of metastasis in patients with breast cancer.

Invasion and metastasis of solid tumors require proteolytic enzymes for degradation of the basal membrane and extracellular matrix. Currently, there are no reliable methodologies to predict the risk for metastatic disease. In this context, our aim has been focused on the development of a noninvasive score based on tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) for the assessment of metastasis in patients with breast cancer.

Effects of smoking on the oxidant/antioxidant balance and the blood lipids in pesticide sprayers.

The present study was conducted on 80 pesticide male sprayers (42 nonsmokers and 38 smokers). Our aim was to estimate the smoking effects on blood lipids and oxidant/antioxidant status in pesticide sprayers. Results revealed that cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and glutathion peroxidase (GPx) enzyme were significantly higher in the 38 smoker sprayers than in the 42 nonsmoker sprayers.

Development of a novel metastatic breast cancer score based on hyaluronic acid metabolism.

Tumor metastasis involves the dissemination of malignant cells into the basement membrane, and the vascular system contributes to the circulating pool of these markers. In this context, our aim has been focused on the development of a non-invasive score based on degradation of the backbone of glycosaminoglycans of the extracellular matrix; namely hyaluronic acid (HA), for the assessment of metastasis in patients with breast cancer. HA level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CA 15.

Role of hyaluronic acid, its degrading enzymes, degradation products, and ferritin in the assessment of fibrosis stage in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: Liver biopsy is considered a gold standard for fibrosis staging, but it has a high risk of morbidity. Therefore, there is an interest in developing noninvasive markers for the prediction of liver fibrosis stages.

Methods: Hyaluronic acid, ferritin, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, β-glucuronidase, glucosamine, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase were assayed in 210 individuals with chronic hepatitis C infection.