Distinct cytokine patterns in Occult Hepatitis C and Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background & Aim: 
The immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a matter of great controversy. The imbalance of T-helper lymphocyte cell cytokine production was believed to play an important pathogenic role in chronic viral hepatitis. Occult hepatitis C infection is regarded as a new entity that should be considered when diagnosing patients with a liver disease of unknown origin. The aim of this study was to determine serum T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 cytokine production in patients with occult HCV infection and its role in pathogenesis versus chronic viral hepatitis C infection.

Methods: 
Serum levels of cytokines of T-helper 1 (IL-2, IFN-[gamma]) and T-helper 2 (IL-4) were measured in 27 patients with occult HCV infection and 50 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Results: 
The levels of the T-helper 1 cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-[gamma], were highly and significantly increased in patients with chronic HCV infection as compared with occult HCV infection (p<0.001). The T-helper 2 cytokine IL-4 was highly and significantly increased in occult HCV infection as compared with chronic HCV infection (p<0.001). Necroinflammation (P<0.001) fibrosis (P<0.001) and cirrhosis (P =0.03) were significantly increased in chronic HCV than occult HCV. 

Conclusion: 
Patients with occult HCV infection exhibited distinct immunoregulatory cytokine patterns, favoring viral persistence in the liver in spite of its absence from peripheral blood and explaining the less aggressive course of this disease entity than chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Increased α-Fetoprotein Predicts Steatosis among Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 4

Background. The prognostic importance of α-fetoprotein (AFP) level elevation in patients with chronic hepatitis C and its clinical significance in steatosis associated with HCV infection remain to be determined. The present paper assessed clinical significance of elevated AFP in patients with CHC with and without steatosis. Methods. One hundred patients with CHC were divided into 50 patients with CHC and steatosis and 50 patients with CHC and no steatosis based on liver biopsy. Results. AFP was significantly increased in CHC with steatosis than patients without steatosis (P < 0.001). Highly significant positive correlation was found between serum AFP and necroinflammation as well as the severity of fibrosis/cirrhosis and negative significant correlation with albumin level in chronic HCV with steatosis (P < 0.001) but negative nonsignificant correlation with ALT and AST level (P ≤ 0.778 and 0.398), respectively. Highly significant increase was found in chronic hepatitis patients with steatosis than CHC without steatosis regarding necroinflammation as well as the severity of fibrosis/cirrhosis and AFP (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Patients with chronic HCV and steatosis have a higher AFP levels than those without steatosis. In chronic HCV with steatosis, elevated AFP levels correlated positively with HAI and negative significant correlation with albumin level

Effect of Pilates Exercises on Cortisol Hormone and Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Women

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and coronary artery disease as well as causes mortality. The Pilates method is a conditioning program in hypertensive patients of the body and mind that is gaining in popularity and acceptance worldwide. Aim of Study: To determine the response of cortisol hormone level and blood pressure after Pilates exercise in hypertensive post-menopausal women. Methods: Sixty women participated in this study was selected from Belbies Central employees and outpatient clinic with age mean ± SD values in groups (A) and (B) were 52.83 ± 3.89 and 53.37 ± 3.66 years., respectively. All of them suffering from high blood pressure stage 2(systolic 140 or higher and diastolic 90 or higher), they took medications (beta blockers - vasodilator – diuretics) and postmenopausal form 1-5 years ago. The study design was pre-post study. Patients were assigned for 8weeks protocol into two groups: Group (A) received Pilates training exercises (bent knee, shoulder bridge, side kick front, side kick back, and single leg circle), while Group (B) received only anti-hypertensive medications. Group (A) performed 5 types of Pilates exercises per session for /3 sessions/ week/ 8 weeks. The outcome measures were blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), cortisol level, anticoagulant factors (prothrombin time (PT), partial prothrombin time (PTT)) and physical characteristic (weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist hip ratio) were evaluated at the baseline and the end of the study. Results: Pre- and post-treatment comparisons showed a statistically significant decrease of the measured variables in the group A (cortisol level 17.73%, systolic blood pressure 3.70%, Diastole blood pressure 5.01 %, partial prothrombin time 7.38%, where weight 2.92 %, Body mass index 2.98 %) and significant increase in prothrombin time 0.67 %. In group B cortisol level 10.48%, significant decrease in diastole blood pressure 1.73%, no significant increase in (prothrombin time 0.25%, Partial prothrombin time 0.28%, weight 0.64%, BMI 0.34%, waist hip ration 0.11%) as well as no significant decrease in systolic blood pressure 0.75

Increased α-Fetoprotein Predicts Steatosis among Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 4

Background. The prognostic importance of α-fetoprotein (AFP) level elevation in patients with chronic hepatitis C and its clinical significance in steatosis associated with HCV infection remain to be determined. The present paper assessed clinical significance of elevated AFP in patients with CHC with and without steatosis. Methods. One hundred patients with CHC were divided into 50 patients with CHC and steatosis and 50 patients with CHC and no steatosis based on liver biopsy. Results. AFP was significantly increased in CHC with steatosis than patients without steatosis (P &lt; 0.001). Highly significant positive correlation was found between serum AFP and necroinflammation as well as the severity of fibrosis/cirrhosis and negative significant correlation with albumin level in chronic HCV with steatosis (P &lt; 0.001) but negative nonsignificant correlation with ALT and AST level (P ≤ 0.778 and 0.398), respectively. Highly significant increase was found in chronic hepatitis patients with steatosis than CHC without steatosis regarding necroinflammation as well as the severity of fibrosis/cirrhosis and AFP (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion. Patients with chronic HCV and steatosis have a higher AFP levels than those without steatosis. In chronic HCV with steatosis, elevated AFP levels correlated positively with HAI and negative significant correlation with albumin level

Rare Mucinous Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Analysis of the Epidemiological Factors in Relation to Survival in Egyptian Patients

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths; in Egypt it constitutes 6.5% of all cancers. Previous studies have shown conflicting results on clinicohistopathological features and survival of patients with colorectal mucinous (MA) and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate these features in Egypt. In this work, we studied tumor tissue specimens from 150 patients with colorectal MA and NMA who underwent radical surgery from Jan 2007 to Jan 2012 at Gastroenterology Centre, Mansoura University, Egypt. Their clinicohistopathological parameters and survival were analyzed using established statistical methodologies. Incidence of MA and its subtypes was much higher in Egypt than worldwide incidence. MA was significantly associated with younger age, more depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, less microscopic abscess formation and less peri-tumoral lymphocytic response (Crohn-like response) than NMA. Both groups were not significantly different "among others" in other clinicopathological parameters including lymphovascular and perineural invasion, association with adenoma and schistosomiasis. Multivariate analyses for disease free and overall survival revealed that mucinous histology is an independent prognostic factor. Among several factors, only distant metastasis and presentation with recurrent disease were independent prognostic factors within MA patients. In conclusion, MA represents a distinct clinicopathological entity with worse survival than NMA. Distant metastasis and presentation with recurrent disease are independent prognostic factors. Further molecular investigations considering genetic features of MA will lead to drug development and better management

Seroprevalences and local variation of human and livestock brucellosis in two villages in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt

This study aimed at assessing the epidemiology of brucellosis among both human and livestock populations in an endemic area in Egypt. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two villages, where 616 inhabitants (aged 3-75 years) and 350 livestock of 97 households were enrolled. Sera were tested for Brucella spp. antibodies by tube agglutination test for both populations. Proportions of seropositive sera were 0.0 and 1.7% among the inhabitants, and 0.0 and 16% among livestock of villages I and II, respectively. Calculated seroprevalences considering the clustering of brucellosis within households were 0.03 for people and 5.2 for livestock in village II. The village variable (P = 0.07) and keeping sheep in the household (P = 0.01) were significant risk factors for human brucellosis, whereas only the village was significant for livestock (P < 0.001). Sheep showed the highest seropositive proportions of brucellosis among livestock. No association could be detected between human and livestock brucellosis. In conclusion, we found local variation of seroprevalences of brucellosis among human and livestock in the two surveyed villages. Further epidemiological studies have to be conducted in randomly selected governorates, not only to confirm the low seroprevelance of human brucellosis, but also to assess the risk factors of livestock infection for terms of prophylaxi

EGFR, CD10 and proliferation marker Ki67 expression in ameloblastoma: possible role in local recurrence

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ameloblastoma is an odontogenic neoplasm characterized by local invasiveness and tendency towards recurrence.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>Studying the role played by EGFR, CD10 and Ki67 in the recurrence of ameloblastoma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was carried out on 22 retrospective cases of mandibular ameloblastoma from the period from Jan 2002 to Jan 2008 with follow up period until Jan 2011 (3 to 8 years follow up peroid). Archival materials were obtained from pathology department, Mansoura university. Paraffin sections of tumor tissue from all cases were submitted for routine H&E stains and immunohistochemistry using EGFR, CD10 and Ki67 monoclonal antibodies. Statistical analysis using of clinical data for all patients, tumor type, EGFR, CD10 and Ki67 expression in relation to recurrence were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 22 cases, 10 cases were males and 12 were females with sex ratio 1:1.2. Age ranged from 34 to 59 years old with a mean age 44.18 year. Five cases showed local recurrence within studied period and proved by biopsy. No statistically significant relation was found between local recurrence and patient age, tumor size, tumor type, EGFR expression. There was a significant relation between CD10 expression as well as Ki67 labelling index and recurrence (P value = 0.003, 0.000 respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Evaluation of CD10 and Ki67 status together with conventional histological evaluation can help in providing more information about the biologic behavior of the tumor, while EGFR could be a target of an expanding class of anticancer therapies.</p> <p>Since ameloblastomas are EGFR-positive tumors, anti-EGFR agents could be considered to reduce the size of large tumors and to treat unresectable tumors that are in close proximity to vital structures.</p> <p>Virtual Slides</p> <p>The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:</p> <p><url>http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1902106905645651</url></p

Characterization of greater middle eastern genetic variation for enhanced disease gene discovery

The Greater Middle East (GME) has been a central hub of human migration and population admixture. The tradition of consanguinity, variably practiced in the Persian Gulf region, North Africa, and Central Asia1-3, has resulted in an elevated burden of recessive disease4. Here we generated a whole-exome GME variome from 1,111 unrelated subjects. We detected substantial diversity and admixture in continental and subregional populations, corresponding to several ancient founder populations with little evidence of bottlenecks. Measured consanguinity rates were an order of magnitude above those in other sampled populations, and the GME population exhibited an increased burden of runs of homozygosity (ROHs) but showed no evidence for reduced burden of deleterious variation due to classically theorized ‘genetic purging’. Applying this database to unsolved recessive conditions in the GME population reduced the number of potential disease-causing variants by four- to sevenfold. These results show variegated genetic architecture in GME populations and support future human genetic discoveries in Mendelian and population genetics

Factors affecting proliferation, essential oil yield, and monoterpenoid constituents of rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis and sage Salvia officinalis cultured in vitro

Experiments were conducted on rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis L. (R. o. \u27Prostratus\u27 and R. o. \u27Lockwood de Forest\u27) and on sage, Salvia officinalis L. (Labiatae). The effect of sucrose, nutrients, and plant growth regulators on growth, oil yield, and monoterpenoid production of the proliferated explants cultured in vitro was studied. The regenerant plants were screened to selected somaclonal variants with higher oil and desirable monoterpene yield. The first study established a protocol to induce organogenic callus of rosemary using thidiazuron (TDZ) alone or with indoleacetic acid (IAA). IAA plus TDZ was essential to produce large masses of organogenic callus. BA was used for shoot regeneration from callus. A significant plant growth regulator effect on the monoterpenes identified in rosemary was observed. The highest level of camphor was obtained from shoot tips cultured on medium supplemented with 0.5 mg TDZ/l plus 0.5 mg IAA/l. The sucrose effect varied depending upon the genotype. Sucrose significantly affected the fresh and dry weight of both genotypes and the texture of callus. The effect of sucrose concentrations on some oil constituents was observed in both genotypes. The highest concentration of sucrose (40 g/l) decreased $\beta$-pinene and borneol levels in \u27Lockwood de Forest\u27, while it increased the bornyl acetate level in \u27Prostratus\u27. The effect of calcium chloride on callus proliferation and the monopterpenes of rosemary was also investigated. Ca\sp{++} significantly affected callus fresh and dry weight and the texture of the callus. The lower concentrations of Ca\sp{++} produced dark green compact callus, while the higher concentrations produced light green friable callus. Ca\sp{++} significantly affected the oil yield and four monoterpenes extracted from callus (camphene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and bornyl acetate). The effect of BA on the growth of sage, Salvia officinalis L., shoot tips cultured in vitro was also studied. Increasing the BA concentration significantly increased fresh and dry weight and shoot number per explant. BA affected the conversion of borneol to camphor

Living an Embodied and Narrated Skin Tone

The dilemma of Sudan is contained in a protracted need for it to identify as either Arab or African with these two classifications being pitted against each other. This adversity has informed the identities of the diverse populations who have inhabited this land, and while attempts have been made to reconcile these complexities they persist and fracture Sudan as a nation. However, this situation is the site of flux and subject to changes wrought by history and the impermanence of events. This article expounds on how the bodies that contain diverse Sudanese identities are in fact experiencing entities that convey how social agents engage with social identifications and how through words and actions they fashion and mold them.Le dilemme du Soudan se manifeste dans le besoin insistant de s’identifier soit en tant qu’Arabe soit en tant qu’Africain. Ces deux catégories édifient une polarisation antagoniste qui influe sur les identités multiples des populations habitant ce territoire. Malgré les efforts pour apprivoiser la complexité de ces identités, celle-ci persiste et contribue à fracturer le Soudan en tant que nation.Cependant, cette situation subit les échos de l’histoire ainsi que la certitude de l’impermanence. Cet article œuvre à élucider comment les corps soudanais hébergent des identités diverses, qui à leur tour traversent le monde social par le biais des expériences vécues. Ces expériences tissent la trame des identifications sociales qui sont façonnées par des mots et des actes sociaux