Clinical Significance of Evaluation of Monocytic Receptors in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Monocytes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection play a critical role in chronic liver inflammation and fibrosis. We studied circulating monocytes and monocyte receptors in patients with HCV infection who were naive to treatment and those who received direct acting antiviral therapy and achieved sustained virological response. CD64 CCR2 (M1-like) and CD206 CD163 CX3CR1 (M2-like) monocyte numbers and receptor expression were evaluated by flow cytometry.

The Interrelation Between Hypothyroidism and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, a Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Thyroid hormones play an important role in the regulation of diverse metabolic processes and might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, their association remains controversial. Therefore, our aim is to clarify whether overt or subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with NAFLD.

Screening for maternal cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome in patients with liver disease: an observational study.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection among pregnant females could induce CMV hepatitis with possible changes in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) which could be reversibly increased during normal pregnancies, particularly in the third trimester. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of CMV infection among pregnant females with and without chronic liver disease and to evaluate the effects of CMV infection on LSM and pregnancy outcomes in comparison to non-CMV-infected pregnant females.

Methods: This is an observational prospective study that included 201 pregnant ladies presented to the liver disease with pregnancy clinic, Cairo University from March 2018 to April 2019.

The Impact of interferon lambda 3 Polymorphism on Hepato-Cellular Carcinoma Progression in Hepatitis C Virus Patients: Treatment-Naïve and Experienced.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the association between the IFN-λ3 rs12979860 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the transition from late fibrosis to HCC in Egyptian HCV-chronically infected patients.

Methods: The rs12979860 SNP was genotyped using real-time PCR in DNA from the whole blood of healthy subjects (n=60) and HCV patient   s (n=342). We stratified the patients into (1) treatment-naïve patients (n=218) with advanced fibrosis (F2-F4, n=123) and HCC (n=95 Treatment-experienced patients (n=124)  who received SOF-based therapy for 12 weeks and achieved SVR (SVR12).

Hepatitis B Reactivation Following Eradication of HCV with Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAAs) in a Cohort of Patients from Different Institutions in Egypt.

Background: Concerns about HBV reactivation (HBVr) have been raised with the introduction of DAA for HCV treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of HBVr in chronic HCV patients during or after DAA.

Methods: A cohort of 166 chronic HCV patients who were treated with SOF-based DAA regimens and initially positive for HBcAb total were evaluated; 10 HBsAg-positive, 156 had past HBV exposure (HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive).

Seven gene signature explores the impact of DAAs on the appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV infected patients.

Unlabelled: HCV damages the hepatocytes ending with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) treatment has raised hopes for reducing the incidence of HCC. However, several scientific debate regarding the impact of DAAs on the occurrence of HCC in patients with cirrhosis.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound and cyst fluid tumor markers in diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Background: Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are common in clinical practice. The accurate classification and diagnosis of these lesions are crucial to avoid unnecessary treatment of benign lesions and missed opportunities for early treatment of potentially malignant lesions.

Aim: To evaluate the role of cyst fluid analysis of different tumor markers such as cancer antigens [, cancer antigen (CA)19-9, CA72-4], carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1), interleukin 1 beta (IL1-β), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)], amylase, and mucin stain in diagnosing pancreatic cysts and differentiating malignant from benign lesions.

Highly Sensitive Serum miRNA Panel for the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Patients with HCV-Related HCC.

Objective: This study aimed at exploring the potential role of a panel of serum micro-RNA (miRNA) markers in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: The study included 157 chronic HCV patients and 62 HCC patients who presented to the Cairo University Center for Hepatic Fibrosis, Endemic Medicine Department, from 2015 to 2017. Relevant clinical and laboratory data were collected and sera were subjected to miRNA expression profiling.

The diagnostic utility of microRNA 222-3p, microRNA 21-5p, and microRNA 122-5p for HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma and its relation to direct-acting antiviral therapy.

Background And Study Aims: Recent reports have emphasized the increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) post direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. Unfortunately, reliable diagnostic markers for HCC are still lacking. In this context, serum microRNAs have become promising diagnostic targets.

Egyptian revalidation of non-invasive parameters for predicting esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients: A retrospective study.

Background And Study Aims: In resource-limited countries, non-invasive tests for assessing liver fibrosis are a potential alternative to costly endoscopic screening for esophageal varices. We aimed to validate several non-invasive parameters for predicting the presence of varices.

Patients And Methods: Between September 2006 and August 2017, a total of 46,014 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as one of the perquisites for receiving hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy were enrolled and divided into group I (without varices) and group II (with varices).

The Role of Interleukin 1 Beta in Differentiating Malignant from Benign Pancreatic Cysts.

The frequency of detection of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) in magnetic resonance imaging performed for reasons unrelated to the pancreas reaches up to 13.5%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cyst fluid interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) and different endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features in differentiating premalignant/malignant from benign pancreatic cysts.

Acoustic radiation force impulse to measure liver stiffness and predict hepatic decompensation in pregnancy with cirrhosis: A cohort study.

Background And Study Aims: Pregnancy in association with cirrhosis is a rather uncommon and highly risky situation for both mother and child. We aim to study all factors and the utility of liver stiffness (LS) measurement by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse elastography (ARFI) to predict hepatic decompensation in pregnant cirrhotic patients.

Patients And Methods: We prospectively recruited 224 pregnant women at the multidisciplinary clinic of liver disease with pregnancy, Cairo University.

Diagnosis and staging of HCV associated fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with target identification for miR-650, 552-3p, 676-3p, 512-5p and 147b.

Background: Chronic HCV infection progresses to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The latter represents the third most common cause for cancer mortality. Currently, there is no reliable non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis of HCV mediated disorders.

The egyptian clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of metabolic associated fatty liver disease.

The landscape of chronic liver disease in Egypt has drastically changed over the past few decades. The prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has risen to alarming levels. Despite the magnitude of the problem, no regional guidelines have been developed to tackle this disease.

IL28B rs12979860 polymorphism and zinc supplementation affect treatment outcome and liver fibrosis after direct-acting antiviral hepatitis C therapy.

Background: Impact of interleukin 28B (IL28B) rs12979860 polymorphism on response to direct-acting antivirals agents in HCV genotype 4-infected patients is under investigation. Zinc may have an advantage in improvement of liver damage and treatment outcome. We aimed to evaluate IL28B polymorphism and zinc administration impact on patient response to treatment and amelioration of liver fibrosis.

infection and the occurrence, characteristics, and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: an observational study over a decade.

infection (SMI) is suspected to be directly and indirectly involved in hepato-carcinogenesis. This study evaluated the association of a previous SMI with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, patients, tumor characteristics, treatment outcomes, and survival. This observational study included patients with HCC with and without previous SMI who presented to the multidisciplinary HCC clinic, Kasr-Alainy hospital (November 2009 to December 2019).

Development of a gene signature for predicting cirrhosis risk score of chronic liver disease associated with HCV infection in Egyptians.

Background: Complex diseases such as fibrosis are likely polygenic. Lately, cirrhosis risk score (CRS) clearly discriminated Chronic HCV patients with high-risk versus those with low-risk for cirrhosis better than clinical factors.

Methods: Herein, the CRS was assessed via genotyping by allelic discrimination assays in 243 HCV Egyptian patients categorized into 164 patients didn't develop HCC (93 mild, 71 advanced fibrosis); and 79 patients developed HCC.

Is urinary β2-microglobulin a reliable marker for assessment of renal tubular dysfunction in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving tenofovir therapy?

Background And Aim: Urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-M) is a marker for renal tubular dysfunction. The current study aimed to assess urinary β2-M as a reliable marker for early prediction of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-related nephrotoxicity among hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients.

Methods: Forty-two HBV patients who were a candidate for TDF therapy or have recently started it (for less than 6 months) were enrolled and subjected to demographic, clinical, laboratory assessment, abdominal ultrasound and transient elastography.

Clinical utility of transient elastography as an imaging tool to assess the short-term impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, together with clinical and biochemical parameters and clinico-biochemical indices, on obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: An Egyptian pilot study.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic liver disorder commonly attributed to fatty acid deposition that can induce hepatic necroinflammation, defined as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is strongly associated with obesity. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a favorable surgical modality for the treatment of morbid obesity.

Wavelet-based Computationally-Efficient Computer-Aided Characterization of Liver Steatosis using Conventional B-mode Ultrasound Images.

Hepatic steatosis occurs when lipids accumulate in the liver leading to steatohepatitis, which can evolve into cirrhosis and consequently may end with hepatocellular carcinoma. Several automatic classification algorithms have been proposed to detect liver diseases. However, some algorithms are manufacturer-dependent, while others require extensive calculations and consequently prolonged computational time.

Circulatory miRNA-484, 524, 615 and 628 expression profiling in HCV mediated HCC among Egyptian patients; implications for diagnosis and staging of hepatic cirrhosis and fibrosis.

Circulatory microRNAs have recently emerged as non-invasive and effective biomarkers for diagnosis of various diseases. Currently there is no reliable biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis or even staging of fibrotic and cirrhotic complications arising from HCV infection. This study aimed at investigating plasma miR-484, miR-524, miR-615-5p and miR-628-3p expression signatures in Egyptian patients with HCV mediated cirrhosis, fibrosis and HCC.

Serum visfatin level as a noninvasive marker for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents with obesity: relation to transient elastography with controlled attenuation parameter.

Background: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Visfatin is an adipokine produced by visceral fat tissue and liver cells. Transient elastography with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) noninvasively assesses liver fibrosis and steatosis.

Acoustic radiation forced impulse-based splenic prediction model using data mining for the noninvasive prediction of esophageal varices in hepatitis C virus advanced fibrosis.

Background: Esophageal varices (EV) are serious complications of hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis. Endoscopic screening is expensive, invasive, and uncomfortable. Accordingly, noninvasive methods are mandatory to avoid unnecessary endoscopy.

Diagnostic accuracy of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography (ARFI) in comparison to other non-invasive modalities in staging of liver fibrosis in chronic HCV patients: single-center experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of ARFI elastography for liver fibrosis staging and compare it to other non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis (FIB-4 and APRI) in chronic HCV (CHC) patients.

Methods: A single-center, prospective study included 2103 CHC patients. Liver stiffness (LS) was evaluated by TE and ARFI elastography.

A panel of a mitogenic (PDGF), biochemical (albumin) and demographic (age) parameters for the non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis.

: Several studies have investigated certain fibrosis markers that incorporate liver function tests, fragments of liver-matrix components and/or degraded products generated by hepatic stellate cells for determining the degree of hepatic fibrosis. However, the role of these molecules in the development of hepatic fibrosis is unclear. This work aimed (a) to determine whether platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is linked to different stages of hepatic fibrosis and (b) investigate its diagnostic performance alongside other laboratory and demographic factors in assessing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection.