Stepping up: impact of health education on diabetic foot Self-Care in a Resource-Limited tertiary care setting.

Up to 15% of patients with diabetes worldwide experience foot problems, which are the most frequent cause of their hospitalization. Proper foot care is essential to avoid these problems and enhance the patient's quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a health education intervention on awareness and practice of foot self-care among diabetic patients.

Defects in meiosis I contribute to the genesis of androgenetic hydatidiform moles.

To identify novel genes responsible for recurrent hydatidiform moles (HMs), we performed exome sequencing on 75 unrelated patients who were negative for mutations in the known genes. We identified biallelic deleterious variants in 6 genes, FOXL2, MAJIN, KASH5, SYCP2, MEIOB, and HFM1, in patients with androgenetic HMs, including a familial case of 3 affected members. Five of these genes are essential for meiosis I, and their deficiencies lead to premature ovarian insufficiency.

Lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index: two indices to predict metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in chronic kidney disease patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR) are the major health problems associated with the increasing risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. This cross-sectional study included 209 CKD patients of stage (3-5) on conservative treatment to assess the usage of lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) to predict both MetS and IR in CKD patients. In males, from the anthropometric measurements, LAP was the best predictor of MetS with 94.

The Impact of SKP2 Gene Expression in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Introduction: The prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients has been dramatically improved with the introduction of imatinib (IM), the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). TKI resistance is a serious problem in IM-based therapy. The human S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) gene may play an essential role in the genesis and progression of CML.

CCL2 rs1024611Gene Polymorphism in Philadelphia-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Introduction: The onset of the Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is caused by acquired somatic mutations in target myeloid genes “driver mutations”. The CCL2 gene is overexpressed by non-Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple solid tumors. Aim of the study: to evaluate the possible association of CCL2 rs1024611 SNP and its expression level and the risk of developing Philadelphia-negative MPNs.

The evolving role of long noncoding RNA HIF1A-AS2 in diabetic retinopathy: a cross-link axis between hypoxia, oxidative stress and angiogenesis via MAPK/VEGF-dependent pathway.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) signifies a frequent serious diabetic complication influencing retinal structure and function. Dysregulation of lncRNAs drives a wide array of human diseases especially diabetes; thus, we aimed to study lncRNA HIF1A-AS2 role and its interplay with hypoxia, oxidative stress (OS), and angiogenesis in DR.

Materials And Methods: 60 DM patients in addition to 15 healthy subjects.

Predictors for Fibrosis Regression in Chronic HCV Patients after the Treatment with DAAS: Results of a Real-world Cohort Study.

Introduction: The goal of treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is viral eradication. However, obtaining histological regression is even more important, because it will reduce the overall morbidity and mortality related to cirrhosis. Introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in HCV improves rates of sustained virologic response (SVR).

Galectin-3 as a prognostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy.

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) represents one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Galectin-3 has been implicated in pathogenesis of many pathological conditions. To date, there are limited data regarding the relationship between galectin-3 and DN.

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy versus N-Butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate injection in the management of actively bleeding esophageal varices: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The management of acute esophageal variceal bleeding remains a clinical challenge. Band ligation is the main therapeutic option, but it may be technically difficult to perform in active bleeders. This may necessitate an alternative therapy for this group of patients.

Sofosbuvir, Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin in the Treatment of an Egyptian Cohort with Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Real-Life Clinical Practice.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus infection is a major public health problem in Egypt with a risk for morbidity and mortality due to chronic liver disease complications. Worldwide, Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV infection with the overall prevalence of about 14.7%.

Randomized Controlled Study Comparing Use of Propofol Plus Fentanyl versus Midazolam Plus Fentanyl as Sedation in Diagnostic Endoscopy in Patients with Advanced Liver Disease.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of propofol plus fentanyl versus midazolam plus fentanyl as sedative for patients with advanced liver disease presented for gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Methods: A total of 100 patients with liver cirrhosis referred for upper endoscopy were enrolled and divided equally in two groups, midazolam plus fentanyl group and propofol plus fentanyl group. All patients were subjected to history taking, estimation of level of sedation, endoscopist rating, and hemodynamic parameters including oxygen saturation, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, incidence of side effect as (bradycardia, hypotension, hypoxia, nausea and vomiting, cough, shivering, or diplopia), time needed for complete recovery, and time needed for discharge.

A novel scoring system for prediction of esophageal varices in critically ill patients.

Background And Aims: Patients with advanced systemic illness or critically ill patients may present with upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bleeding which may need endoscopic intervention; however, this may expose them to unnecessary endoscopy. The aim was to validate a novel scoring system for risk stratification for urgency of GIT endoscopy in critically ill patients.

Methods: This is an observational study conducted from January 2013 to January 2016 to analyze 300 patients with critical medical conditions and presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Serum Midkine and Osteopontin Levels as Diagnostic Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a primary tumor of the liver; it is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated glycoprotein which is implicated in enhancing invasive and metastatic progression of many tumors. Midkine (MDK) is a 13-kDa small heparin-binding growth factor which plays a significant role in carcinogenesis related activities.

Impact of iron deficiency anemia on the function of the immune system in children.

The importance of iron deficiency as a public health problem is based ultimately on the seriousness of its consequences on health. The most extensively investigated consequences of iron deficiency involve work performance and immune function. The significance of the effects on work performance is generally accepted.

Prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C patients in Mid Delta, Egypt: A single center study.

Background And Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has an increasing incidence worldwide. In this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of HCC among HCV patients in our center in Mid Delta, Egypt.

Patients And Methods: During the period between April 2013 and January 2015, we screened sequentially chronic HCV patients attending inpatient wards or outpatient Clinic of Tropical Medicine Department in Tanta University Hospital for HCC.

Correction of hemodialysis anemia is associated with significant increase in serum concentration of IGF-I in patients treated with erythropoietin: a randomized controlled study.

Background: The effect of erythropoietin (EPO) therapy on the serum level of IGF-I among hemodialysis patients is debated. The aim of this study is to study the effect of EPO on the erythropoiesis and the change of serum level of IGF-I among adequately hemodialyzed patients.

Patients And Methods: Forty patients (25 males and 15 females) who had an adequate level of both hemodialysis and nutrition were randomly allocated into two equal groups.

Use of nandrolone decanoate as an adjuvant for erythropoietin dose reduction in treating anemia in patients on hemodialysis.

Background/aims: Use of androgen as an adjuvant therapy to treat anemia in patients on hemodialysis is debated. Our target is to assess the safety and the efficacy of nandrolone decanoate (ND) as an effective adjunctive therapy to treat such anemia.

Methods: This study included 32 anemic adult hemodialysis patients who had adequate iron stores.