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Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is one of the most common progressive metabolic disorders worldwide. There are increasing scientific interests nowadays for the association between vitamin D status and Non-alcoholic fatty liver. Earlier studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Non-alcoholic fatty liver patients that contributes to poor outcomes. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of oral cholecalciferol on Non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 140 patients that were randomized either to group 1 that received the standard conventional therapy in addition to placebo or group 2 that received the standard conventional therapy in addition to cholecalciferol during the 4 months study period.Results: At the end of the study group 2 revealed significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean serum level of TG, LDL-C, TC, hsCRP as compared to their baseline results and group 1 results. Additionally, a significant improvement in the serum levels of ALT (p = 0.001) was seen in group 2 at the end of the study when compared to group 1. Whereas group 1 did not show any change in these parameters when compared to group 2 and their baseline results.Conclusion: Cholecalciferol was shown to have beneficial effects on serum ALT levels, hsCRP levels and lipid profile of NAFLD patients.Clinical Trial Registration:https://prsinfo.clinicaltrials.gov/prs-users-guide.html, identifier NCT05613192

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on admissions of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in countries participating in the Stent-Save a Life (SSL) global initiative.We conducted a multicenter observational survey to collect data on patient admissions for ACS, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and PPCI in participating SSL member countries through a period during the COVID-19 outbreak (March and April 2020) compared with the equivalent period in 2019. Of the 32 member countries of the SSL global initiative, 17 agreed to participate in the survey (three in Africa, five in Asia, six in Europe and three in Latin America). Overall reductions of 27.5% and 20.0% were observed in admissions for ACS and STEMI, respectively. The decrease in PPCI was 26.7%. This trend was observed in all except two countries. In these two, the pandemic peaked later than in the other countries.This survey shows that the COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a significant reduction in hospital admissions for ACS and STEMI as well as a reduction in PPCI, which can be explained by both patient- and system-related factors.Avaliar o impacto da pandemia COVID-19 nas admissões de doentes com síndromes coronárias agudas (SCA) e angioplastia coronária primária (PPCI) em países que participam da iniciativa globalRealizámos estudo observacional multicêntrico para coletar dados sobre admissões de doentes por ACS, STEMI e PPCI nos países participantes no SSL durante um período do surto COVID-19 (março e abril de 2020) em comparação com o período homólogo de 2019. Dos 32 países membros da iniciativa global SSL, 17 aceitaram participar no estudo (3 de África, 5 da Ásia, 6 da Europa e 3 da América Latina (LATAM)). Observámos uma redução global de 27,5% e 20,0% nos internamentos com SCA e STEMI, respetivamente. A diminuição do PPCI foi de 26,7%. Essa tendência foi observada em todos os países, exceto dois. Nestes dois países, a pandemia atingiu o pico mais tarde do que nos restantes.Este estudo mostra que o surto de COVID-19 foi associado a uma redução significativa de admissões hospitalares por SCA e STEMI, bem como uma redução de PPCI, o que pode ser explicado por fatores relacionados com o doente e com o sistema.

The inversion of gravity data for crustal thicknesses is a nonunique problem. Therefore, additional independent information (e.g., seismic data) is needed to constrain the inversion process. Despite decades of exploration efforts related to mining and the installation of more seismic stations, knowledge on the deep crustal structure of southern Africa remains limited. In this contribution we present a crustal thickness model for southern Africa: The initial model is determined by inversion of satellite gravity data. Here, we apply seismically constrained non-linear inversion, based on the modified Bott's method and Tikhonov regularization assuming spherical Earth approximation. The inversion hyper-parameters are determined by Monte-Carlo-Marcov-Chain (MCMC) simulation. The data quality of the (active and passive) seismic constraints is high in general, showing e.g. individual uncertainties per point. The problem is that the constraining data points are irregularly distributed, resulting in large areas without constraints. Therefore, in a next step, we want to validate and improve the modelling result for these unconstrained regions. We use the initial constraining data set to geostatistically simulate a homogeneous crustal thickness model for the investigation region. For this, we apply a Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGS) based on Ordinary Kriging that includes the uncertainties of the seismic data and allows to characterize uncertainties of the simulated points. The simulated crustal thickness model is then used to qualitatively validate the inversion result. Additionally, we redo the inversion process with a new constraining data set that combines the preexisting constraining points and the simulated model.

This paper demonstrates the implementation and tests the performance of a low angular speed sensor for rotary machinery based on a microelectromechanical system gyroscope. First, an experimental test setup is presented that features a top-of-the-line optical absolute angle encoder as a reference for characterizing the proposed sensor in a controlled environment chamber. A prototype of the proposed sensor has been designed and implemented with its architecture and hardware design described in detail. For the experimental purposes, a wireless synchronization scheme between the reference and the gyroscopic sensor is also discussed. The experimental measurement has taken place to benchmark the performance of the realized sensor. The experimental data have been processed and analyzed, and the results have been presented. The gyroscopic sensor has shown satisfactory results. The sensor has an accuracy of 0.06 degrees/s, standard deviation of 0.45 degrees/s, and hysteresis of 0.08 degrees/s.

Objectives To assess the predictive importance of ultrasonic grade 1 hyperechogenicity in potential live related kidney donors in the absence of urinary abnormalities and with perfect renal function. Subjects and methods The study included 34 potential living related kidney donors with this abnormality; their mean (SD, range) age was 32.7 (8.45, 23–48) years. Ten matched healthy donors with normal ultrasonographic appearance of the kidneys were studied as controls. All cases were thoroughly investigated, including measuring glomerular filtration rate by isotopic scintigraphy. The renal reserve was estimated by dopamine and amino-acid infusion in all subjects (study and control groups). A percutaneous renal biopsy was taken from 17 subjects in the abnormal echogenicity group and open renal biopsy was taken from eight of the control subjects. Results The renal reserve was comparable in both groups. Abnormal histopathological changes were found in seven subjects (41%) of the abnormal echogenicity group, i.e. partial glomerulosclerosis in one, mesangial thickening in two, interstitial fibrosis in one, focal tubular atrophy in one, immunoglobulin (Ig M) immune deposits in three and IgA in one. Only one subject in the control group showed mild mesangial thickening. Conclusion Grade 1 echogenicity might be a sign of unrecognized kidney disease. Renal biopsy is mandatory when such related donors are the only available ones. Abnormal histopathology contraindicates donation.

Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) remains a major cause of graft failure over the long term, second only to patient mortality. The main adverse effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) include nephrotoxicity, hypertension, symptomatic hyperuricemia, hirsutism, and gum hyperplasia. Available studies among live related donor renal transplants lack adequate information regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of primary CsA-based immunosuppressive regimens. This prospective randomized study is aimed at evaluating the long-term results of CsA-based immunosuppressive protocols in live-donor kidney transplantation. The follow-up data of 444 renal transplant recipients operated at the Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, prior to 1996 were reviewed. Primary immuno-suppressive protocols included: steroids and azathioprine (group I, 130 cases); steroids and CsA (group II, 75 cases); and steroids, CsA, and azathioprine (group III, 239 cases). Only adult primary renal transplant recipients with age ranging between 18 and 60 years and one haplotype HLA mismatch with the donor were included. All patients received kidneys from living related donors with previous donor non-specific blood transfusions. The percentage of cases with chronic rejection was significantly higher in group III. Living cases with graft failure were significantly higher in group III, whereas mortality was significantly higher in group I. Diabetic patients and those with serious bacterial infections were significantly more prevalent in group II. Hypertensive patients were significantly more common in groups I and II. Liver disease was more prevalent among patients in group III. Our study suggests that the long-term results of treatment with steroids and azathioprine are satisfactory in live related donor kidney transplant recipients. Chronic rejection was significantly higher in patients in group III, possibly due to the risk of CsA nephrotoxicity. Groups with CsA-based protocols experienced many adverse reactions of CsA such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic rejection

Kimura disease (KD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with angiolymphatic proliferation, usually affecting young men of Asian race but is rare in other races. The etiology of KD is still unknown. It is often accompanied by nephrotic syndrome. Herein, we present an atypical manifestation of Kimura disease occurring in a Caucasian man with steroid-responsive early membranous glomerulonephritis. Kimura disease can present atypically in a middle-aged Caucasian man with secondary steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome. Steroid, endoxan, and MMF can be used safely and successfully in such situation. The diagnosis of KD can be difficult and misleading, and patients with this disease are often evaluated using avoidable procedures by just not being aware of KD.