Injection Drug Use Is a Risk Factor for HCV Infection in Urban Egypt

OBJECTIVE: To identify current risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in Greater Cairo. DESIGN AND SETTING: A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted comparing incident acute symptomatic hepatitis C patients in two "fever" hospitals of Greater Cairo with two control groups: household members of the cases and acute hepatitis A patients diagnosed at the same hospitals. Controls were matched on the same age and sex to cases and were all anti-HCV antibody negative. Iatrogenic, community and household exposures to HCV in the one to six months before symptoms onset for cases, and date of interview for controls, were exhaustively assessed. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2007, 94 definite acute symptomatic HCV cases and 188 controls were enrolled in the study. In multivariate analysis, intravenous injections (OR = 5.0; 95% CI = 1.2-20.2), medical stitches (OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.6-11.3), injection drug use (IDU) (OR = 7.9; 95% CI = 1.4-43.5), recent marriage (OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.1-9.9) and illiteracy (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.8-8.5) were independently associated with an increased HCV risk. CONCLUSION: In urban Cairo, invasive health care procedures remain a source of HCV transmission and IDU is an emerging risk factor. Strict application of standard precautions during health care is a priority. Implementation of comprehensive infection prevention programs for IDU should be considered

Developing novel anticancer drugs by targeting DNA

13301甲第5650号博士(創薬科学)金沢大学博士論文要旨Abstract 以下に掲載：Molecules 28(4) pp.1864 2023. MDPI. 共著者：Mohamed Elsaid Nasr Elghobary, Masayuki Munekane, Kenji Mishiro, Takeshi Fuchigami, Kazuma Ogaw

Preparation and Evaluation of Thermosensitive Liposomes Encapsulating I-125-Labeled Doxorubicin Derivatives for Auger Electron Therapy

Auger electrons (AEs) are very low-energy electrons emitted by radionuclides such as I-125 (125I). This energy is deposited across a small distance (125I-labeled doxorubicin (DOX) derivatives were developed for Auger electron therapy, targeting the DNA of cancer cells. A radioiodinated DOX derivative [125I]5 highly accumulated in the nuclei of cancer cells and showed potent cytotoxicity against Colon 26 cancer cells by AEs. Subsequently, [125I]5 was loaded into the TSLs with high encapsulation efficiency. Potent release of [125I]5 from TSLs was achieved with heating, whereas a decreased release was observed without heating. Furthermore, TSLs encapsulating [125I]5 showed a high uptake in the nuclei at 42 °C for 1 h. We supposed that [125I]5 was released by heating at 42 °C and accumulated in the nuclei in the cells. These results suggest that the combination of TSLs encapsulating [125I]5 and hyperthermia is an effective cancer therapy

Community exposures and high risk habits among acute hepatitis C cases and controls sex- and ±1 year age-matched, Greater Cairo, 2002-7.

<p><b>NOTE</b>: Data are no. (%) of participants.</p><p>OR^*, unadjusted odds ratio comparing cases to the two control groups combined; CI, confidence interval.</p>c<p>Neither cases nor controls were circumcised; none had ear piercing, tattoos or acupuncture.</p>d<p>Since women were not asked, they were excluded from the analysis (N = 198; 66 participants per serie).</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of acute hepatitis C cases and controls sex- and ±1 year age-matched, Greater Cairo, 2002-7.

<p><b>NOTE</b>: Data are no. (%) of participants. OR, unadjusted odds ratio comparing cases to the two control groups combined; CI, confidence interval. NA = non applicable because of matching.</p

Multivariate analysis showing factors independently associated with acute hepatitis C, Greater Cairo, 2002-7.

<p><b>NOTE</b>: Adjusted OR, odds ratio adjusted by all other covariates; CI, confidence interval.</p>e<p>7 participants with missing data: 6 controls with missing information on intravenous injection and one on duration of marriage.</p

Health care related risk factors among acute hepatitis C cases and controls sex- and ±1 year age-matched, Greater Cairo, 2002-7.

<p><b>NOTE</b>: Data are no. (%) of participants.</p><p>OR^*, unadjusted odds ratio comparing cases to the two control groups combined CI, confidence interval.</p>a<p>Only women included (N = 84).</p