Changes in Plasma Growth Differentiation Factor-15 After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbidly Obese Patients: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the potential changes of Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in morbidly obese patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 68 patients who underwent LSG and 58 cases, who were enrolled as a control group, to whom conservative measures of weight loss were adopted. Both groups were followed for 12 months.

Evaluation of serum presepsin, procalcitonin, copeptin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein for differentiating bacterial infection from disease activity in Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Several biological markers have been studied for the differentiation of infection from disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with discrepant results. We aimed to evaluate the role of serum presepsin, hs-CRP, procalcitonin (PCT), and copeptin (CPP) in differentiating bacterial infections from disease activity in SLE patients.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional observational study in which 94 Egyptian patients were recruited from June 2017 to January 2018.

Effect of weight loss induced by laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on liver histology and serum adipokine levels.

Background & Aim: Bariatric surgery is a valid treatment option for persons with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study prospectively examined the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on liver histopathology, and blood levels of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and pre-B cell enhancing factor/Nampt/visfatin.

Patients & Methods: In 81 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who underwent LSG, paired liver biopsies and blood specimens were obtained before and 18 months after LSG.

Study of changes of obesity-related inflammatory cytokines after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Background: Chronic inflammation in adipose tissue may play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the changes in adipocytokines, bile acids, fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19) and pro-inflammatory cytokines 6 months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Methods: This prospective study included 75 obese patients with body mass index >35 kg/m who underwent LSG.

Cap-Assisted Technique versus Conventional Methods for Esophageal Food Bolus Extraction: A Comparative Study.

Background/aims: Food bolus impaction is the most common form of esophageal foreign body impaction observed in adults. Clinical guidelines recommend using the push technique or retrieval methods in such cases. The push technique can cause injuries in certain clinical situations.

Predictive value of omental thickness on ultrasonography for diagnosis of unexplained ascites, an Egyptian centre study.

Etiology of ascites of unknown origin varies with geographic area and ethnic origin. Tuberculous peritonitis and peritoneal carcinomatosis constitute a considerable proportion of patients. Differentiation between both is a major challenge.