Oxidative stress and vascular endothelial growth factor in experimental animal model of schistosoma mansoni treated with myrrh or praziquantel

No Abstract. The Egyptian Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Vol. 24(1) 2006: 25-3

Empagliflozin suppresses hedgehog pathway, alleviates ER stress, and ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats

Abstract Worldwide mortality from hepatic fibrosis remains high, due to hepatocellular carcinoma and end stage liver failure. The progressive nature of hepatic fibrosis from inflammation to cicatrized tissues warrants subtle intervention with pharmacological agents that hold potential. Empagliflozin (Empa), a novel hypoglycemic drug with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has lately been proposed to have additional antifibrotic activities. In the current study, we examined the antifibrotic effect of the Empa through modulating the activity of hepatic stellate cells by hedgehog (Hh) pathway. We also assessed the markers of inflammatory response and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Male Albino rats were treated with either CCl4 (0.4 mg/kg twice/week) and/or Empa (10 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. In this study, CCl4 rats had active Hh signaling as indicated by overexpression of Patched 1, Smoothened and Glioblastoma-2. CCl4 induced ER stress as CHOP expression was upregulated and ERAD was downregulated. CCl4-induced inflammatory response was demonstrated through increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and mRNA levels of IL-17 while undetectable expression of IL-10. Conversely, Empa elicited immunosuppression, suppressed the expression of Hh markers, and reversed markers of ER stress. In conclusion, Empa suppressed CCl4-induced Hh signaling and proinflammatory response, meanwhile embraced ER stress in the hepatic tissues, altogether provided hepatoprotection

Relation of locus 1p13 rs646776 polymorphism with the risk of preeclampsia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relation of locus 1p13 rs646776 (T/C) polymorphism with preeclampsia in Egyptian women. Methods: The study included 100 healthy pregnant female subjects and 100 preeclampsia patients. The genotypes of the polymorphisms were assessed. Endothelin-1 level was determined in plasma. Results: The major T allele of the 1p13.3 genomic region rs646776 polymorphism had a higher frequency in preeclampsia patients. Carriers of C allele had significantly lower endothelin-1 levels, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decreased proteinuria, and increased HDL-C in the patients. Conclusion: The rare C allele of rs646776 polymorphism in chromosomal locus 1p13.3 is associated with decreased risk of preeclampsia

Apelin rs2235306 polymorphism is not related to metabolic syndrome in Egyptian women

Background: Apelin is an adipokine that was identified to play a role in the control of glucose homeostasis. Apelin rs2235306 gene polymorphism was linked to insulin resistance and poor glycemic control. Aim of the study: To assess the relation of apelin rs2235306 polymorphism with metabolic syndrome and its component traits in Egyptian women from Suez Canal area. Subjects and methods: The study included 100 metabolic syndrome patients and 100 healthy female subjects. The component traits of metabolic syndrome were determined and the genotypes of the polymorphisms were assessed using tetra amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) technique. Results: There was no significant difference in the allele frequencies between the metabolic syndrome and control groups (P = 0.841). There was also no association of the different genotypes of this polymorphism with any of the component traits of metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Apelin rs2235306 polymorphism is not associated with the incidence of metabolic syndrome in the studied population

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Abstract Objective The study aimed to investigate the over expression of IFITM3 in hepatocellular carcinoma Egyptian patients. Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to be a serious disease burden. Interferon Induced Transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a protein that encoded in humans by the IFITM3 gene. It plays a critical role in the immune system’s defense, responsible for a large portion of the antiviral activity. In this study, we showed that IFITM3 rs 12252-CC was over expressed in HCC patients compared to control group with HCV infection. Method DNA sequencing was applied for detection of IFITM3 rs 12252-CC and IFITM3 protein level was measured by ELISA to 50 patients with HCC with cirrhosis and 50 with Hepatitis C virus infection. Results The obtained results of this study indicated that IFITM3 rs 12252-CC was significantly elevated in HCC group, the codominant model of CC genotype of IFITM3 gene had high association with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma with odd ratio (OR) = 2.70, p = 0.041. Conclusion IFITM3 play an important role in progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Results revealed that IFITM3 rs 12252-CC among Hepatocellular carcinoma patients would allow diagnosis and starting intervention

Practical support for evaluating efficiency factors of a space heating system in cold climates : modelling and simulation of hydronic panel radiator with different location of connection pipes

Plenty of technical norms, included in the EPBD umbrella, assess the performance of buildings or its sub-systems in terms of efficiency. In particular, EN 15316 and its sub-sections, determine the system energy requirements and the system efficiencies of space heating system. This paper focuses on the estimation of efficiencies for emission of hydronic radiators. The assessment of efficiencies for emission occurs by evaluating the amount of heat emitted  from the heat emitter and the extra thermal losses towards building envelope. The heat emitted from radiators varies during the heating up/cooling down phases. A factor that influences the heat emitted during these phases is the location of connection pipes of the radiator. Connection pipes can be located on opposite side or at the same side of the radiator. To better estimate the heat emitted from radiators a transient model with multiple storage elements is used in a building simulation model. Sensitivity analysis encompasses all  the possible variations on extra thermal losses due to the building location in different climates, the heaviness of active thermal mass and the type of radiator local control. The final outcome of this paper is a practical support where the designer can easily assess the efficiencies for emission of hydronic radiators  for Swedish buildings. As main result, (i) the efficiency for control of space heating system is higher in Northern climates than in Southern climates, (ii) heavy active thermal masses allow higher efficiencies for emission than light active thermal masses, (iii) connection pipes located on the same side of the radiator enable higher efficiencies for emission than pipes located on opposite side