Screening for presence of primary Sjogren's syndrome in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD) are the most common autoimmune human disorders as the thyroid gland is a main target for autoimmunity. The association between rheumatologic and thyroid disorders has long been known, the most common being the association with rheumatoid arthritis. Our study was conducted to screen for the presence of symptoms, signs, and immune markers suggesting the presence of Sjogren's syndrome among patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Effect of ketotifen in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: Mast cells are found to be an important contributor in obesity induced insulin resistance. We evaluate the effect of ketotifen in obese patient with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) treated with glimepiride.

Method: In a randomized controlled study we recruited forty-eight obese patients with T2DM from Internal Medicine Department at Tanta University Hospital, Egypt.

The role of hepatic expression of STAT1, SOCS3 and PIAS1 in the response of chronic hepatitis C patients to therapy.

Background: The underlying mechanisms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) resistance to treatment are unknown. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins play a critical role in antiviral defense.

Objective: To explore some of the mechanisms of HCV resistance to interferon, the expression of STAT1 and its negative regulators, protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS1) and suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS3), in liver tissues of both inteferon responders and nonresponders in chronic HCV patients.

Fibrosis severity and mannan-binding lectin (MBL)/MBL-associated serine protease 1 (MASP-1) complex in HCV-infected patients.

Background And Study Aims: Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a collectin synthesised in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. It binds micro-organisms via interactions with glycans on the target surface. Bound MBL subsequently activates MBL-associated serine protease proenzymes (MASPs).

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism and telomere shortening in essential hypertension.

Several genetic studies were carried out among hypertensive patients to assess allelic association at the 1166 position of the 3' untranslated region of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene. In addition, attempts have also been made to find out whether telomere length attrition is associated with hypertension. The main aim of this study was to examine the association of A1166C polymorphism of angiotensin II type 1 receptor and telomere length with essential hypertension in Egyptian people.

Association of the C242T polymorphism of the p22 phox gene with advanced carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NAD(P)H] oxidase is an important source of superoxide (O2-) in human blood vessels. A critical component of this oxidase is the p22phox protein, which is encoded by the cytochrome b-245 α (CYBA) gene. Studies have suggested a possible association between polymorphisms of the CYBA gene and susceptibility to atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus (DM).