Prognostic Significance of Notch-4, SATB-2, and Glutaminase-1 in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

Background: Neurogenic locus notch homology 4 (Notch-4) is crucial in maintaining stem cells. Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB-2) is a transcription factor that binds to the nuclear matrix and serves various functions, including brain development. Glutaminase-1 (GLS-1) plays a pivotal role in cancer cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation. This study aims to assess the expression of these markers in colorectal cancer, establishing correlations with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival.Method: In this retrospective study, we retrieved and analyzed 68 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of primary colorectal adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified cases, and adjacent normal mucosa. Notch-4, SATB-2 and GLS-1 expressions were analyzed using immunohistochemistry at the Zagazig School of Medicine, Egypt.Results: High expressions of Notch-4 and GLS-1 and low expression of SATB-2 were observed in colonic adenocarcinoma but not in adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (P < 0.001). High expressions of Notch-4 and GLS-1, along with low expression of SATB-2, were associated with a higher tumor grade, advanced stage (P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and poor disease-free survival and overall survival rates (P < 0.001).Conclusion: High expression of Notch-4 and GLS-1 is correlated with a poor prognosis in colorectal cancer, while high expression of SATB-2 is associated with a favorable prognosis for colorectal carcinoma. These markers can aid in predicting tumor prognosis and guiding targeted therapy for colorectal carcinoma

Clustering of children’s oral diseases in families and villages in a rural setting in Egypt

Abstract Background This study assessed the clustering of children’ caries experience, plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in families and villages in Northwestern Egypt and the factors related to the severity of these conditions. Methods This was a secondary analysis of a 2019 household survey of children in villages around Alexandria, Egypt. Clinical examination assessed primary and permanent teeth caries experience (dmft/ DMFT using the World Health Organization criteria), plaque accumulation (Plaque Index (PlI)) and gingival inflammation (Gingival Index (GI)). A child questionnaire assessed child’s age, sex, the frequency of toothbrushing (at least twice daily versus less) and frequency of consuming eight types of sugary products (daily sugar consumption score, sum of sugary products consumed daily). Mothers’ questionnaire assessed the number of children in the family, mother’s education (at least high school versus less), at least twice daily toothbrushing and daily sugar consumption similar to the child. Multilevel regression analyses assessed clustering, calculated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the three conditions in families and villages. Regression estimates (B) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of individual and family factors were calculated. Results Complete data were available for 450 children (246 families, seven villages], mean = 9.9 years-old and 56% females. The mean caries experience score = 3.6, mean plaque index = 1.5 and mean gingival index = 1.2. Caries experience, plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation were not clustered in villages (ICC  0.05). Child’s age was significantly associated with caries experience (B= -0.48, p < 0.001) and gingival inflammation (B = 0.032, p < 0.001). Children who brushed their teeth twice daily had significantly more caries experience (B = 1.04, p = 0.01). Conclusion The three oral conditions were not clustered in villages but clustered in families. Plaque accumulation showed the greatest within-family clustering. Family factors were not associated with the three conditions and individual factors indicated the need for interventions to promote preventive behaviors and identify families at risk of oral conditions

Impact of cyclin D1 and DJ-1 on diagnosis, clinico-pathological features and outcome in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Disturbance in cell cycle regulatory genes is a common finding among many types of cancers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of cyclin D1 and DJ-1 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PC)

National screening for developmental delays and their determinants among Egyptian school age children: A step towards implementing life skills programs.

AimThis study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of developmental delays (DDs) and their determinants among Egyptian children aged 6 to 12 years. Such estimation is a prerequisite step toward the application of Life Skill Education (LSE) programs that will potentiate children's future capabilities.MethodsVineland Adaptive Behavior Scales" was used as a reliable and diagnostic test for DDs screening during this national cross sectional study. Gross motor (GM), fine motor (FM), daily living skills, communication, and socialization skills were assessed. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DDs. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval was estimated to indicate the strength of association. A p-value of ResultsOut of the 20324 surveyed school-aged children, 7.4% were found to have at least one delay. Communication deficits were the most common (6.4%) followed by delay in daily living skills (2.0%). The final model of logistic regression had a good fit for seven variables out of the sociodemographic, epidemiological characteristics, maternal and perinatal problems that were associated with a higher likelihood of at least one DD: Children suffering from any convulsions (AOR = 4.32; 95% CI: 3.18-5.88), male gender (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.65-2.09), birth weight less than 2.5 kg (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.40-2.24), history of maternal health problem during pregnancy (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI:1.34-2.01), children staying in an incubator for more than two days (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.29-1.91), having less educated fathers (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.24-1.95) and belonging to the middle social class (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.24-1.58).ConclusionThe identified types and determinants for each DD are allowing for the implementation of tailored programs for school children's life skills promotion for achieving the most sustainable effects on children's biological and psychological health and well-being

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially