The association between micro-RNA gene polymorphisms and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients.

Introduction: The development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistage process involving the deregulation of genes that are crucial to cellular processes. Multiple risk factors are correlated with HCC. MicroRNA is differentially expressed in the development of different types of malignancies, including hepatic malignancy.

Urinary N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Newborn Infants with Cardiac and Pulmonary Diseases.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of urinary N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as noninvasive screening tool for congenital heart diseases in full-term neonates with respiratory distress.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 90 full-term infants. Newborn were assigned into three groups: pulmonary, cardiac, and control groups.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A in liver tissues of infants with biliary atresia.

Aim Of The Study: Assessment of hepatic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in liver tissues of infants with biliary atresia (BA).

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included 35 infants with BA (BA group), and 38 infants with cholestasis due to causes other than BA (non-BA group). All patients had undergone full history taking, through clinical examination, routine investigations and immunostaining of liver tissue for VEGF-A and cytokeratin 7 (CK7).

Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in children using leukocyte esterase reagent strips and granulocyte elastase immunoassay.

Aim Of The Study: We aimed to assess the utility and rapidity of granulocyte elastase (GE) latex immunoassay and leukocyte esterase (LE) reagent strips for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in hepatic children with ascites.

Material And Methods: This study included 80 ascitic fluid (AF) samples from 45 patients with chronic liver diseases. They were divided into 2 groups (SBP and non-SBP groups).

Hepcidin levels and iron status in beta-thalassemia major patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Beta-thalassemia is an inherited anemia in which synthesis of the hemoglobin beta-chain is decreased. Clinical features of beta-thalassemia include variably severe anemia and iron overload due to increased intestinal iron absorption, which may result in damage to vital organs. The hepatic peptide; hepcidin is a key regulator of iron metabolism in mammals.

Levels of chemokine receptors expressed on peripheral blood T lymphocytes of Egyptian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

CC chemokine receptors (CCR) have an important role in the recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation. The migration and metastasis of tumor cells shares many similarities with leukocyte trafficking, which is mainly regulated by chemokine receptor-ligand interactions. CCR1 and CCR5 are highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and tissues with unknown functions.