Forgotten Biliary Plastic Stents: Complications, Management, and Clinical Outcomes.

: Endoscopic biliary plastic stenting is a safe and effective temporary therapeutic modality used in various benign biliary disorders. Long-term indwelling stents for more than one year without retrieval are termed "forgotten biliary stents". In clinical practice, the forgotten stents are underestimated and the majority of data were obtained from case reports.

Soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 as an endothelial dysfunction biomarker associated with pulmonary hypertension in adult patients with beta-thalassemia major.

The etiology of vascular problems in beta-thalassemia has been linked to endothelial damage. Antiangiogenic proteins such as soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) inhibit the signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor, resulting in a decrease in the development of new blood vessels. Additionally, they promote the maturation of existing blood vessels and lead to endothelial dysfunction.

Resolved hepatitis B infection in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy: Monitor versus prophylaxis against viral reactivation.

Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in patients with resolved HBV infection receiving immunosuppressive therapy has been a growing concern, particularly in the era of biological and targeted therapies. HBV monitoring versus antiviral prophylaxis against HBVr in those patients remains controversial. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of HBVr and HBV-related hepatitis in resolved HBV patients who received immunosuppressive therapy with or without antiviral prophylaxis.

Retrospective study of Dana Farber Consortium Protocol in newly diagnosed Egyptian adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Tanta experience.

Background: Intensive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) regimens in children improve the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) to reach ~ 90%. Adolescents and young adults (AYA) have EFS (30% to 45%). Young AYA ALL patients treated with pediatric chemotherapy protocols such as Dana Farber Consortium Protocol (DFCP) experience a better prognosis.

Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Adult Patients with β- Thalassemia Major: A Real-Life Study.

Background & Aims: Patients with thalassemia have a lifelong need for blood transfusion, which makes them more risky to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Iron overload and chronic HCV are considered risk factors for patients with thalassemia to develop liver insults. The aim of the present study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir in the treatment of chronic HCV infection in Egyptian adult patients with β- thalassemia major.

Intermittent versus Daily Eltrombopag Dosage Protocols for the Treatment of Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia: Real-Life Experience.

Introduction/aim: Eltrombopag is recommended for the treatment of refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Based on its half-life, it may be practical to use an intermittent dosage. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness and safety of intermittent vs daily eltrombopag dosage protocols for the treatment of primary ITP refractory to prior therapies.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Treatment as Independent Prognostic Factors in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Egyptian Patients.

Background: Egypt is one of the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemic areas. Chronic HCV infection has extra-hepatic manifestations, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is commonly associated with HCV infection.

Impact of CD40 gene polymorphisms on the risk of immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CD40 gene (rs1883832 C/T and rs4810485 G/T) and the risk of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in the Egyptian population.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted retrospectively on 101 cases with ITP and 97 healthy subjects. Two SNPs of CD40 gene (rs1883832 C/T and rs4810485 G/T) were genotyped via Taqman allele discrimination real-time PCR.

Predictors for eltrombopag response in patients with hepatitis C virus-associated thrombocytopenia.

Background And Aims: Thrombocytopenia is a common hematological abnormality observed in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The use of eltrombopag has been approved for HCV-associated thrombocytopenia. This is the first study aiming to determine the predictive factors of response to eltrombopag therapy in patients with HCV-associated thrombocytopenia.

Comparative study to evaluate the effect of l-carnitine plus glimepiride versus glimepiride alone on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: Insulin resistance (IR) is predominant in type 2 diabetic patients. This study aimed to investigate benefits from adding l-carnitine to ongoing glimepiride compared to glimepiride monotherapy on IR in diabetic patients who failed to achieve their glycemic goals on glimepiride monotherapy.

Methods: 58 patients were recruited from Internal Medicine Department, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt then prospectively randomized to receive their glimepiride dose 2 mg twice daily (group 1) or glimepiride 2 mg twice daily + l-carnitine 1 g m twice daily (group 2) for 6 months.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in a cohort of elderly Egyptian patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) affects large number of elderly with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Early identification and management of the factors predicting in-hospital mortality might decrease mortality. This study was conducted to identify the causes of acute UGIB and the predictors of in-hospital mortality in elderly Egyptian patients.

MicroRNAs and clinical implications in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To assess the role of some circulating miRNAs (miR-23a, miR-203, miR338, miR-34, and miR-16) as tumor markers for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: One hundred and seventy-one subjects were enrolled, 57 patients with HCC, 57 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 57 healthy subjects as control group. Severity of liver disease was assessed by Child Pugh score.

Hepatitis C virus: A global view.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global challenge; 130-175 million are chronically infected. Over 350000 die each year from HCV. Chronic HCV is the primary cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and end-stage liver disease.

Prevalence and chemotherapy-induced reactivation of occult hepatitis B virus among hepatitis B surface antigen negative patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: significance of hepatitis B core antibodies screening.

Background: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is characterized by negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA in the liver and/or serum, with or without hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). Anti-HBc is the most sensitive marker of previous HBV. HBV reactivation in patients under immunosuppressive treatment is life-threatening, occurring in both overt and occult HBV especially in hematological malignancies.