Circulating MiRNA-373 as a Predictor of Response to Super-selective Transarterial Chemoembolization Bridging Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation.

Background: Super selective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has emerged as a bridging therapy for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients awaiting liver transplantation. This study aimed at assessing the expression profiles of circulating MiR-210 and MiR-373 as potential predictors of response to TACE bridging therapy in a group of Egyptian HCC cases on top of chronic hepatitis-C infection, awaiting liver transplantation.

Methods: Fifty-three HCC cases awaiting liver transplantation referred for TACE, were followed up for three months, resulting in forty-five responders and eight non-responders based on modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST).

Evaluation of KISS1 Receptor Gene Expression in Egyptian Female Patients with Breast Cancer.

Objective: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. Many metastasis suppressor genes were identified, including the KISS1 gene which encodes for a 145 amino acid protein (kisspeptin-145), which undergoes proteolytic cleavage resulting in kisspeptin-14, -13 and -10. All of these proteins can activate KISS1 receptor (KISS1R).

Comparison of Serum Trefoil Factor-3 to Endoscopy in Diagnosing Helicobacter Pylori Associated Gastric Ulcer.

Background And Aim Of The Work: Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric ulcer (H.pylori-GU) is a serious condition, not only because H.pylori is identified as a grade 1 carcinogen but also because GU is a precancerous condition.

Nonenriched PCR Versus Mutant-Enriched PCR in Detecting Selected Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Mutations Among Nonsmall-Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Background: Biopsies obtained from lung cancers contain a mixture of cancerous and healthy tissues. The mutant-enriched polymerase chain reaction (ME-PCR) identifies low-level somatic DNA mutations within an excess wild-type sample.

Aims: This study aimed at comparing nonenriched PCR (NE-PCR) versus ME-PCR for the detection of two epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations among nonsmall cell lung cancer patients.

Aberrant methylation of promoter region of SPINT2/HAI-2 gene: an epigenetic mechanism in hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Background: Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, are recognized as one of the potential mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Aims: We aimed to study the methylation status of the promoter region of Serine peptidase inhibitor/hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 2 (SPINT2/HAI-2) tumor suppressor gene in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected cirrhotic patients with and without HCC.

Methods: Methyl-specific polymerase (MSP) chain reaction was used to detect CpG methylation of the SPINT2/HAI-2 gene promoter in peripheral blood samples of 30 HCC and 50 HCV cirrhotic cases, along with 50 normal individuals.

Plasma soluble corin and N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide levels in pregnancy induced hypertension.

Objective: One of the theories involved in the pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension involves salt and water retention. We aimed to measure the proenzyme convertase corin, responsible for pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) cleavage to active ANP, in plasma of hypertensive pregnant females.

Study Design: Sixty pregnant females suffering from pregnancy induced hypertension in second and third trimesters of pregnancy were compared to twenty eight healthy pregnant females of the same gestational period.

Osteopontin and C-reactive protein in Egyptian patients affected with tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion.

Background: The first step in the evaluation of patients with pleural effusion is to determine whether the effusion is a transudate or an exudate. Osteopontin (OPN) is a pleiotropic integrin-binding protein with many functions. We assessed pleural effusion and serum concentrations of OPN and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with different types of pleural effusions.