Study of BRCA2 Gene Mutations in Egyptian Females with Breast Cancer

ABSTRACT: In this study we assesed the frequency of two founder mutations in BRCA2 gene which are 999del5 and 6174delT. This study was carried out on fifty Egyptian females, including twenty healthy females as controls and thirty patients with breast cancer. DNA was extracted from the blood. PCR was done for amplification of the founder mutations 999del5 and 6174delT in BRCA2 gene (exons 9 and 11 respectively), gel electrophoresis was done for separation of ampilified DNA bands. Our results showed that the frequency of 999del5 was 14%, and 6174delT founder mutation was 4%, both are from the patient group with family history. We concluded from the founder effect of 999del5 on Egyptian population, and the low frequency of 6174delT founder mutation. It was apparent from the study findings that women with a strong family history were still at higher risk for developing the disease

Utility of multidetector row computed tomography and virtual bronchoscopy in evaluation of hemoptysis due to lung cancer

Background: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), with angiography, as well as its generated virtual bronchoscopy (VB) in the evaluation of patients with hemoptysis due to lung cancer. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 24 patients diagnosed as primary lung cancer and presented with hemoptysis, from May 2011 to August 2014. They underwent MDCT using a 16-detector row scanner with bronchial and pulmonary angiographic techniques. MDCT-generated VB was carried out and compared to findings obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB). Results: MDCT identified the cause of hemoptysis and its angiography detected the site and vascular source of bleeding in 96% of patients. Virtual bronchoscopy had sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 91%, 50%, and 87.5%, respectively. While FOB detected 11, 19, 3 and 2 endoluminal lesions, obstructive lesions, external compressions, and mucosal abnormalities; VB detected 7, 25, 11, and 0 lesions, respectively. Conclusion: MDCT angiography is a useful and non invasive method that allows a rapid and detailed identification of abnormal vasculature responsible for hemoptysis in patients with lung cancer. MDCT-generated virtual bronchoscopy is an accurate, and non invasive method for evaluating obstructions, endoluminal masses, and external compressions in patients with hemoptysis due to lung cancer

Utility of multidetector row computed tomography in the management of hemoptysis: An experience from Upper Egypt

Background: We aimed to report our experience with the use of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), with angiography in the evaluation of patients with hemoptysis. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 52 patients suffering from hemoptysis, from May 2011 to August 2014. They underwent MDCT using a 16-detector row scanner with bronchial and pulmonary angiographic techniques. Results: MDCT identified the cause of hemoptysis in 92% of patients. MDCT angiography was able to detect the site and vascular source of bleeding in 85% of patients. A total of 92 bronchial arteries were detected in 65% of patients; 29 of these arteries (31%) were abnormally dilated. Conclusion: Our results confirm that MDCT angiography is a useful method to identify and depict the bronchial arteries and to predict the presence of nonbronchial systemic vessels that supply a parenchymal lesion. MDCT angiography allows a rapid and detailed identification of abnormal vasculature and provides a precise road map which can be used to guide therapeutic arterial embolization

AENSI Journals Advances in Environmental Biology Antibacterial Activity of Some Plant Extracts on Salmonella with Special Reference to Its Resistance Pattern

The present work was planned to isolate, characterize and evaluate the prevalence of salmonella serotypes in 500 samples (herbs, water, fish, shrimps and different types of meat) as well as detection of haemolysin production, Congo Red binding activity, serum activity and antimicrobial susceptibility test. Seventy six samples out of 500 samples were found to be positive to salmonella with a percentage of 15.2%. Salmonella Typhmurium, Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Gallinarum were the most prevalence serotype among the recovered isolates with percentages of 28.94%, 19.73% and 17.1%, respectively. The study showed that all 76 Salmonella isolates were negative in Congo Red binding test. Also they were sensitive to bactericidal effect of human and sheep serum (100%).The results of haemolysis showed that all serotypes had no hemolytic activity. The result of antibiotics sensitivity indicated that the recovered Salmonella isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin, Amikacin, Gentamycin, Penicillin and amoxicillin (100%) followed by Ciprofloxacine, Amoxicillin+Clavulanic acid and Norfloxacin with percentages of 80%, 67% and 63, respectively. The result of bactericidal effect of ethanolic plant extract showed that Coriander, Ginger, Laura leaf, Black pepper, Chilly, basil, mint, Fenugreek, Lemon, Anise, Black cumin, Marjoram, Chamomile, Thyme, Cumin, and Cinnamon did not show bactericidal activity against Salmonella strains. While Hibiscus, showed intermediate bactericidal activity in concentration 100% and in concentration of 50% and 25% showed no bactericidal effect

Evidence of a Link between Hepatitis E Virus Exposure and Glomerulonephritis Development

Viruses can trigger glomerulonephritis (GN) development. Hepatitis viruses, especially Hepatitis C virus and Hepatitis B viruses, are examples of the viruses that trigger GN initiation or progression. However, the proof of a correlation between GN and Hepatitis E virus infection is not clear. Some studies confirmed the development of GN during acute or chronic HEV infections, mainly caused by genotype 3. While others reported that there is no relation between HEV exposure and GN development. A recent study showed that a reduced glomerular filtration rate was developed in 16% of acute HEV genotype 1 (HEV-1) infections that returned to normal during recovery. HEV-1 is endemic in Egypt with a high seroprevalence among villagers and pregnant women. There is no available data about a link between HEV and GN in Egypt. Methods: GN patients (n = 43) and matched healthy subjects (n = 36) enrolled in Assiut University hospitals were included in this study. Blood samples were screened for hepatotropic pathogens. Tests for HEV markers such as HEV RNA and anti-HEV antibodies (IgM and IgG) were performed. Laboratory parameters were compared in HEV-seropositive and HEV-seronegative GN patients. Results: Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 26 (60.5%) out of 43 GN patients. HEV seroprevalence was significantly higher in GN than in healthy controls, suggesting that HEV exposure is a risk factor for GN development. None of the GN patients nor the healthy subjects were positive for anti-HEV IgM or HEV RNA. There was no significant difference between seropositive and seronegative GN patients in terms of age, gender, albumin, kidney function profiles, or liver transaminases. However, anti-HEV IgG positive GN patients had higher bilirubin levels than anti-HEV IgG negative GN patients. HEV-seropositive GN patients had a significantly elevated AST level compared to HEV-seropositive healthy subjects. Conclusion: exposure to HEV infection could be complicated by the development of GN

The Modulatory Role of MicroRNA-873 in the Progression of KRAS-Driven Cancers

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated proto-oncogenes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and aberrantly activated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A profound role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of human cancer is being uncovered, including in cancer therapy. Using in silico prediction algorithms, we identified miR-873 as a potential regulator of KRAS, and we investigated its role in PDAC and TNBC. We found that reduced miR-873 expression is associated with shorter patient survival in both cancers. miR-873 expression is significantly repressed in PDAC and TNBC cell lines and inversely correlated with KRAS levels. We demonstrate that miR-873 directly bound to the 3′ UTR of KRAS mRNA and suppressed its expression. Notably, restoring miR-873 expression induced apoptosis; recapitulated the effects of KRAS inhibition on cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion; and suppressed the activity of ERK and PI3K/AKT, while overexpression of KRAS rescued the effects mediated by miR-873. Moreover, in vivo delivery of miR-873 nanoparticles inhibited KRAS expression and tumor growth in PDAC and TNBC tumor models. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that miR-873 acts as a tumor suppressor by targeting KRAS and that miR-873-based gene therapy may be a therapeutic strategy in PDAC and TNBC. Keywords: KRAS, oncogene, non-coding RNA, microRNA, ncRNA, miR-873, proliferation, invasion, gene regulation, tumorigenesis, gene silencing, therapy, nanoparticles, pancreatic cancer, liposomes, breast cancer, triple-negative breast cance

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, data summary of 50 countries for 2010-2015: Device-associated module

•We report INICC device-associated module data of 50 countries from 2010-2015.•We collected prospective data from 861,284 patients in 703 ICUs for 3,506,562 days.•DA-HAI rates and bacterial resistance were higher in the INICC ICUs than in CDC-NHSN's.•Device utilization ratio in the INICC ICUs was similar to CDC-NHSN's. Background: We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2010-December 2015 in 703 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific. Methods: During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 861,284 patients hospitalized in INICC hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 3,506,562 days. Results: Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the INICC medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection, 4.1 per 1,000 central line-days, was nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days reported from comparable US ICUs, the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher, 13.1 versus 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 5.07 versus 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days. From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (29.87% vs 10%) and to imipenem (44.3% vs 26.1%), and of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (73.2% vs 28.8%) and to imipenem (43.27% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC ICUs compared with CDC-NHSN ICUs. Conclusions: Although DA-HAIs in INICC ICU patients continue to be higher than the rates reported in CDC-NSHN ICUs representing the developed world, we have observed a significant trend toward the reduction of DA-HAI rates in INICC ICUs as shown in each international report. It is INICC's main goal to continue facilitating education, training, and basic and cost-effective tools and resources, such as standardized forms and an online platform, to tackle this problem effectively and systematically