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Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major leading cause of kidney failure. So, early detection of DN by assessing urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) expression may be of clinical value. In this study, the diagnostic value of two urinary miRNAs (miR-210 & miR-34a) as biomarkers for diagnosis of DN was assessed using a simple colorimetric gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assay and real-time PCR. MiR-(210 & 34a) were markedly up-regulated in DN groups (micro-albuminuric and macro-albuminuric groups) compared to the non-albuminuric group and healthy controls. The sensitivity and specificity for the qualitative detection of urinary miR-(210 & 34a) using the AuNP assay were (78% and 72%) & (81% and 69%), respectively, which were consistent with the results of real-time PCR. There was a highly significant correlation between urinary miR-(210 & 34a) detected by either qRT-PCR or qualitative AuNP assay. Accordingly, this simple AuNP assay may be considered a valid test for the detection of these two urinary miRNAs as potential biomarkers that can aid in the noninvasive diagnosis of DN.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and oligosaccharidosis are lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) that share many clinical features. The present study aimed to establish a protocol for the biochemical diagnosis of these disorders and their subtypes in affected Egyptian children as well as in pregnant females, in order to prepare children or fetus for enzyme replacement therapy. Urine, plasma and leukocyte samples were collected from 280 children with symptoms suggestive of LSDs. Fourteen amniotic fluid samples were collected from pregnant females having positive family history or having one affected sibling. Assessment of urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) followed by two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DEP), thin layer chromatographic (TLC) for separation of oligosaccharides and plasma or leukocyte enzyme activity were performed. Six of pregnancies were diagnosed to have affected fetuses. 84 children had abnormal 2-DEP and classified as 26 MPS I, 10 MPS II, 24 MPS III and 24 MPS VI. Two were diagnosed as α-mannosidosis and 2 as GM1 gangliosidosis. In conclusion; MPS should be excluded before suspecting oligosaccharidosis. 2-DEP and TLC alone cannot rule out the diagnosis of either MPS or oligosaccharidosis and confirmation must be done by specific lysosomal enzymatic assay. Analysis of GAGs by 2-DEP in amniotic fluid can be promising method for prenatal diagnosis of MPS. Keywords: Mucopolysaccharidosis, Oligosaccharidosis, Two dimensional electrophoresis, Thin layer chromatography, Enzyme activity

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that is deregulated in obesity. PPARγ exerts diverse antineoplastic effects. Attempting to determine the clinical relevance of the epigenetic mechanisms controlling the expression PPARγ and susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) in obese subjects, this study investigated the role of some microRNAs and DNA methylation on the deregulation of PPARγ. Seventy CRC patients (34 obese and 36 lean), 22 obese and 24 lean healthy controls were included. MicroRNA levels were measured in serum. PPARγ promoter methylation was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PPARγ level was evaluated by measuring mRNA level in PBMC and protein level in serum. The tested microRNAs (miR-27b, 130b and 138) were significantly upregulated in obese and CRC patients. Obese and CRC patients had significantly low levels of PPARγ. A significant negative correlation was found between PPARγ levels and the studied microRNAs. There was a significant PPARγ promoter hypermethylation in CRC patients that correlated to low PPARγ levels. Our results suggest that upregulation of microRNAs 27b, 130b and 138 is associated with susceptibility to CRC in obese subjects through PPARγ downregulation. Hypermethylation of PPARγ gene promoter is associated with CRC through suppression of PPARγ regardless of BMI.

Background TNFRSF13B, TACI, is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily; it plays a key role in cancer cell proliferation and progression. Method Influence of silencing of human cytokine receptors on cell viability was screened by Luminescent Cell Viability Assay, after transfection of the siRNA library to find the maximum cell death superhits in both triple-negative MDA-MB-231 and double-positive MCF7 breast cells. The mode of cell death was investigated by dual DNA fluorescence staining. The expression of mRNAs of TACI, BAFF, BAFF-R, and APRIL was explored by qPCR. Immunocytofluorescence analysis was used to evaluate changes in TACI, Bcl-2, TNFR2, cyclin-D2, and PCNA. NF-kB p65, cell cycle, and necrosis/apoptosis (late and early) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results TACI is the most potent cytotoxic superhit resulted from high-throughput screening of the siRNA library, in both types of cells. Our findings indicated that silencing receptor TACI in both types of breast cancer cells led to significant cell death, after different intervals from siRNA transfection. Cell death mediators (TNFR2, Bcl-2, and NF-κB) were significantly decreased after TACI silencing. The key factors for cell division (Cyclin-D2 and PCNA) were significantly increased in silenced cells of both types but the cell cycle was arrested before the completion of mitosis. Expression of BAFF, BAFF-R and APRIL mRNA in TACI-silenced cells showed significant upregulation in MDA-MB-231 cells, while only BAFF-R and APRIL showed significant downregulation in MCF7 cells. Conclusion TACI silencing can be a new and promising therapeutic target for mesenchymal-stem like triple-negative breast cancer subtype.

Background: Delirium is considered a common, life threatening and a cause of morbidity and mortality that can be prevented in ICU patients. Undetected and untreated delirium is a catalyst to increase mortality, morbidity, functional decline and result in increasing requirement for nursing care, healthcare expense and hospital length of stay. Several studies have indicated that nurses' knowledge and practices for delirium are inadequate. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess nurses' knowledge, and practices about delirium at the ICU of the Emergency Hospital, Mansoura University. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was used to carry out this research on fifty four nurses who are involved in providing direct care for ICU patients in Emergency Hospital, Mansoura University. Two tools were used to collect data: the knowledge evaluation sheet and observational checklist. Results: the findings showed that knowledge and practices for majority of studied nurses were unsatisfactory regarding delirium and there is no correlation between nurses' knowledge and practices scores. Conclusion: there is need for continuing education to upgrade nurses' knowledge and improve their practical skills regarding delirium. Recommendations: enrichment of nurses' knowledge and practices related to delirium to be the corner stone in care of ICU patients. As well, replication of this study on large probability sample.

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is an abnormal proliferation of neurons during brain development that leads to a small brain size but architecturally normal in most instances. Mutations in the ASPM gene have been identified to be the most prevalent. Thirty-seven patients from 30 unrelated families with a clinical diagnosis of MCPH were enrolled in this study. Screening of ASPM gene mutations was performed by targeted linkage analysis followed by direct sequencing. Thirteen protein truncating mutations of the ASPM were identified in 15 families (50%), eight of which were novel mutations. The mutations detected were eight nonsense, four frameshift, and one splice site. Two of these mutations (p.R1327* and p.R3181*) were recurrent and shared similar haplotypes suggesting founder effect. Patients with ASPM mutations had mild to severe intellectual disability and variable degrees of simplified gyral pattern and small frontal lobe. In addition, hypoplasia of corpus callosum (18 patients), mildly small cerebellar vermis (10 patients), and relatively small pons (13 patients) were found in 85.7%, 47.6%, and 61.9%, respectively. Furthermore, one patient had porencephaly and another had a small midline cyst. Epilepsy was documented in two patients (9.5%). Non-neurologic abnormalities consisted of growth retardation (four patients), and co-incidental association of oculo-cutaneous albinism (one patient). Our study expands the mutation spectrum of ASPM. Moreover, the simplified gyral pattern and small frontal lobe together with hypoplastic corpus callosum, small cerebellum and pons enable ASPM mutated patients to be distinguished. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive phenotype of breast cancer with reduced survival and poor prognosis. Increased VEGF-A, IGF-I, IGF-IR and TGF-β1 expressions were detected in breast cancer. However, little is known about their prognostic and predictive roles in TNBC.We assessed the possible prognostic and predictive values of VEGF-A, IGF-I/IGF-IR and TGF-β1 in TNBC cases by measuring their protein and mRNA expression in TNBC and non-TNBC cases.VEGF-A, IGF-I, IGF-IR and TGF-β1 RNA and their corresponding proteins were assessed in 43 TNBCs, 53 non-TNBCs and 30 normal breast tissues (NBT) by real time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC); respectively. Results were related to clinico-pathological factors, response to treatment and survival rates.Increased mRNA expression of VEGF-A, IGF-I, and IGF-IR was significantly higher in TNBC (65.1%, 65.1%, and 72.1%) than non-TNBC (28.1%, 33.96% and 28.3%) and NBT (0.00%) (P0.001). Similarly, TNBC patients were significantly associated with high expression of VEGF-A, IGF-I, and IGF-IR proteins (67.44%, 62.79% and 83.72%) than non-TNBC (20.75%, 35.86% and 20.75%) and NBT (0.00%) (P0.001). Protein and RNA expression levels of all studied markers showed high concordance in all investigated patients (correlation coefficient exceeding 0.5 and 0.4, respectively). In the TNBC group, metastasis and poor response to treatment were significantly associated with VEGF-A (P0.001, P=0.007, respectively), IGF-I (P0.001, P0.001, respectively), IGF-IR (P=0.001, P=0.015, respectively) and TGF-β1 (P0.001, P=0.007, respectively) protein levels. Multivariate logistic regression showed that IGF-I was the only independent prognostic factor for reduced OS (P=0.034) and DFS (P=0.026) in the TNBC patients.VEGF-A, IGF-I and IGF-IR play an important role in the development and progression of TNBC compared to non-TNBC. Therefore, they could be used as prognostic and predictive biomarkers as well as candidates for targeted therapy. However, only IGF-I can predict survival in those patients.

In the current study, the prognostic and predictive values of serum transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)/IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were evaluated in triple-negative and non-triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC and non-TNBC). The aim was to identify a group of serological biomarkers and to identify possible candidates for targeted therapy in patients with TNBC and non-TNBC. Protein levels of TGF-β1, IGF-I/IGF-IR and VEGF-A in the serum were measured in 43 TNBC, 53 non-TNBC and 20 normal control participants using quantitative ELISA assays. Results were correlated against standard prognostic factors, response to treatment and survival. TNBC was identified to be associated with poor prognosis and serum levels of VEGF-A and IGF/IGF-IR were significantly higher in the TNBC group compared with the non-TNBC group. IGF-IR and VEGF-A overexpression was observed to be correlated with TGF-β1 expression and all of the markers investigated were associated with metastasis and disease progression. In the multivariate analysis, VEGF-A, IGF-I and IGF-IR were observed to be independent predictors for overall survival, whereas TGF-β1 and lymph node status were identified as independent predictors for disease-free survival. The overall response rate was significantly lower in patients with TNBC and those with high levels of TGF-β1, IGF-I/IGF-IR and VEGF-A. In view of the present results, it was concluded that TGF-β1, IGF-I/IGF-IR and VEGF-A overexpression is associated with the presence of aggressive tumors, which exhibit an increased probability of metastasis, a poor response to treatment and reduced survival rate. This indicates that VEGF-A, IGF-IR and IGF-I have the potential to be used as surrogate biomarkers and are promising candidates for targeted therapy, particularly in patients with TNBC.

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of three natural antioxidants on the adverse effect of methotrexate (MTX) in normal liver cells. TaqMan RT-PCR technology was used to estimate the mRNA expression levels for three genes after rats injection with a single dose of 20 mg/kg b.w MTX or the same MTX dose combined with ginger, silymarin or propolis oral administration. The doses of ginger, silymarin or propolis were similar (200 mg/kg b.w) and were daily administrated to rats for 21 days before MTX injection and four days after MTX injection. The three genes were: cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) that encodes POR enzyme, caspase 3 (CASP-3) that encodes CASP-3 enzyme and interlukin 6 (IL-6) that encodes IL-6 pro- inflammatory cytokine. Results indicate that the used MTX single dose of 20 mg/kg b.w did not significantly affect POR mRNA expression level in rat liver. Moreover the administration of ginger, silymarin or propolis with MTX did not significantly increase or decrease POR mRNA expression level. Results also reveal insignificant increase in CASP-3 mRNA expression level after MTX injection and also after administration of ginger or propolis with MTX. The administration of silymarin with MTX significantly increased the CASP-3 mRNA expression level. IL-6 mRNA expression level was insignificantly upregulated after injection with MTX and also after administration of silymarin with MTX whereas a significantly upregulation in the IL-6 mRNA expression level was reported after administration of ginger or propolis with MTX. Key words: Methotrexate, ginger, silymarin, propolis, mRNA expression.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that is associated with several comorbidities such as obesity. This study was designed to estimate the possibility of utilizing psoriasin, nestin, keratin-16 (Krt16), and interleukin-21 (IL-21) as biochemical markers of psoriasis, to correlate these candidate psoriatic markers with biomarkers of obesity [body mass index (BMI), leptin, and resistin], and to elucidate the bidirectional association between obesity and psoriasis. Blood samples were collected from all participants (n = 108) who were classified according to their BMI into 4 groups: healthy control, obese, psoriatic, and obese psoriatic group. Plasma psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, IL-21, leptin, and resistin were estimated for all subjects. Psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, IL-21, leptin, and resistin were significantly elevated in psoriatic and obese psoriatic groups. However, only leptin, resistin, IL-21, and Krt16 were significantly increased in the obese group compared with the control group. Leptin and resistin showed significant positive correlations with psoriasis area and severity index score, psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, and IL-21. Cutoff values for psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, and IL-21 were 187.5 ng/mL, 1825 pg/mL, 33.1 ng/mL, and 128.6 ng/L, respectively. In conclusion, psoriasin, nestin, Krt16, and IL-21 can be utilized as biochemical markers of psoriasis; these psoriatic markers are significantly positively correlated with obesity biomarkers, and obesity can be considered a risk factor and/or consequence of psoriasis.

Hyaluronidase (HAase) was reported as a urinary marker of bladder cancer. In this study, a simple colorimetric gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assay was developed for rapid and sensitive detection of urinary HAase activity. Charge interaction between polyanionic hyaluronic acid (HA) and cationic AuNPs stabilized with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) led to formation of gold aggregates and a red to blue color shift. HAase digests HA into small fragments preventing the aggregation of cationic AuNPs. The nonspecific aggregation of AuNPs in urine samples was overcome by pre-treatment of samples with the polycationic chitosan that was able to agglomerate all negatively charged interfering moieties before performing the assay. The developed AuNP assay was compared with zymography for qualitative detection of urinary HAase activity in 40 bladder carcinoma patients, 11 benign bladder lesions patients and 15 normal individuals, the assay sensitivity was 82.5% vs. 65% for zymography, while the specificity for both assays was 96.1%. The absorption ratio, A530/A620 of the reacted AuNP solution was used to quantify the HAase activity. The best cut off value was 93.5 μU/ng protein, at which the sensitivity was 90% and the specificity was 80.8%.The developed colorimetric AuNP HAase assay is simple, inexpensive, and can aid noninvasive diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Background. One of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) is diabetic nephropathy (DN). Angiotensin- converting enzyme (ACE) gene was the first candidate gene of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) for predisposition to DN.Objective. Investigation whether the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is associated with Egyptian type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) with nephropathy. In addition, the study investigated the relationship between variants of ACE I/D gene polymorphism and serum ACE level and the progression of nephropathy in Egyptian T2DM patients.Methods. A total of 85 T2DM patients (45 with nephropathy and 40 without nephropathy) besides 45 healthy (non-diabetic) age-matched subjects were recruited in this study for comparison. The (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene was investigated using PCR and serum ACE levels were determined using ELISA.Results. The frequency of ACE DD genotype and D allele was significantly higher in DN patients when compared to control healthy subjects and diabetic patients without nephropathy. In addition our results showed a significant association between DD genotype of ACE gene and elevated serum ACE level.Conclusion. The present study showing a strong association between the D allele and/or DD homozygous of ACE gene and diabetic patients developed nephropathy. In addition, individuals with D allele have higher levels of serum ACE compared to those having I allele. ACE gene polymorphism and serum ACE level may serve as a susceptibility biomarker for nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

The study aimed to investigate the association between MTHFR C677T, ENPP1 K121Q, and ADIPOQ 45 T/G gene polymorphisms and incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) in Egyptian patients. The study included 60 unrelated patients suffering from their first MI and 60 unrelated controls. Patients were recruited from Kasr-El Eini hospital, Cairo University. The previously mentioned polymorphisms were determined in all participants by PCR-RFLP. There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of MTHFR C677T between groups. In contrast, significant difference was found in the distributions of genotypes and alleles of ENPP1 K121Q and ADIPOQ 45 T/G between MI patients and controls (P = 0.01, P = 0.004, P = 0.009, P = 0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed that 121Q ENPP1 and 45 G ADIPOQ alleles were associated with the increased risk of MI (OR = 3; 95 % CI = 1.45-6.2; P = 0.004 and OR = 5.8; 95 % CI = 1.92-17.54; P = 0.001, respectively). The mutant homozygous genotypes of MTHFR, ENPP1, and ADIPOQ were more prevalent in diabetic hypertensive MI patients than it was among non-diabetic normotensive MI patients. Regarding the coagulation profile, INR (P = 0.009) and PC % (P = 0.022) were significantly different among the three genotypes of MTHFR C677T. The 677 T, 121 Q, and 45G variants were associated with MI in Egyptian patients; however, more studies are needed to determine the possible protective effect for these polymorphisms in our population.

Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used extensively in pest control. Aim of the current study was to investigate the ability of deltamethrin-based commercial formulation to induce genotoxicity and testicular injury in rats in comparison to the use of the biopesticide; Bacillus thuringiensis. Rats were divided into three groups: Group I (DEL) received deltamethrin, 5 mg/kgb.w./day orally, in corn oil. Group II (Biopesticide, B. thuringiensis) received oral suspension of the biopesticide at daily dose of 8400 mg/kgb.w./day. Group III (Control) received appropriate volume of corn oil. After 4 weeks, deltamethrin-treated rats showed decreased serum testosterone, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Testicular total oxidant capacity (TOC), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and DNA damage were significantly increased. Significant increase in bone marrow chromosomal aberrations, induced by deltamethrin, including chromatid breaks, deletions, fragments and gaps was also observed. RT-PCR demonstrated significant up-regulation in testicular mRNA for glutathione-s-transferase and heat-shock protein-70 (HSP-70) whereas steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) mRNA was down-regulated after deltamethrin exposure. Oral administration of the biopesticide, under the condition of our study, was found to be safe when compared to the deleterious effect of deltamethrin in rats.

Objective: This study was performed for investigation the relationship between variants of ACE, TCF7L2 and PPARGC1A gene polymorphisms individually or in combination with the development of nephropathy in T2DM. Subject and Methods: The study was included 85 T2DM patients (45 with nephropathy and 40 without nephropathy), and 45 healthy control subjects. The I/D polymorphism of ACE gene was evaluated by PCR method. The polymorphisms rs7903146 (C/T) of TCF7L2 gene and Gly482Ser (G/A) and Thr394Thr (G/A) of PPARGC1A gene were evaluated by PCR-RFLP analysis. Results: The frequency of ACE DD genotype and D allele was significantly higher in DN patients when compared to diabetic without nephropathy. The frequency of TCF7L2 rs7903146 TT genotype and T allele were significantly associated with DN patients compared to T2DM. Moreover, a significant association in A allelic frequencies was observed in DN cases compared to T2DM patients without nephropathy. No differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between T2DM patients with and without nephropathy were found for the Thr394Thr polymorphism. Conclusions: Our study suggested that candidate gene polymorphisms I/D of ACE, rs7903146 of TCF7L2 and Gly482Ser of PPARGC1A individually or in combination may act as susceptibility biomarkers for nephropathy in T2DM.

Apoptosis is the primary mechanism through which most chemotherapeutic agents induce tumor cell death. The purpose of this study was to monitor the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins CD(95) , Bcl-2, as well as copper and zinc levels in the peripheral blood of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) prior to and 6 months after the beginning of chemotherapy. Blood parameters and bone marrow blast count were also assessed. Twenty of 26 patients who received treatment showed amelioration in apoptotic response, which is reflected in the elevation of CD(95) , whereas Bcl-2 protein was significantly lowered. In these patients, the elevated serum copper level was not significantly affected whereas the low serum zinc level was significantly raised. Improvement in blood parameters and bone marrow blast count were also achieved. Taken together, the data suggested that assessment of apoptosis signaling molecules might have a predictive impact on treatment outcome.

Calcium-binding proteins S100A are multifunctional proteins that show altered expression in various diseases and cancers. This study aimed at validating an easier and less time-consuming technique to evaluate the value of combined use of messenger RNA (mRNA) S100A genes in comparison and combination with voided urine cytology in detection of bladder cancer patients. Blood and urine specimens were collected from patients (n = 120) with histologically confirmed bladder carcinoma who are classified according to bladder cancer stage into four groups and from healthy volunteers (n = 30). Histopathology examination, bilharzias antibody detection, urine cytology, and mRNA expression of S100A genes were estimated for all subjects by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results indicate that each of the investigated S100A genes can be used as diagnostic marker for bladder cancer. Both S100A4 and S100A6 can be used to differentiate between different stages of bladder cancer. S100A7 can be used for the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Both S100A8 and S100A9 can be used for detection of invasive bladder carcinoma while S100A11 can be used for early detection of superficial bladder carcinoma. The overall sensitivity and specificity for the studied S100A genes ranged from 73 to 90 and 84 to 92, respectively. The combined use of urine cytology with the investigated S100A genes increased sensitivity from 56 % up to a range of 87-96 %. In conclusion, serum S100A genes can be useful as potential serological biomarkers for bladder cancer, and combined use of urine cytology with S100A genes can improve the sensitivity for detection of bladder cancer.

Multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, is characterized by excessive demyelination. The study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of ozone (O3) therapy in ethidium bromide (EB)-induced demyelination in rats either alone or in combination with corticosteroids in order to decrease the dose of steroid therapy. Rats were divided into Group (1) normal control rats received saline, Group (2) Sham-operated rats received saline, Group (3) Sham-operated rats received vehicle (oxygen), Group (4) EB-treated rats received EB, Group (5) EB-treated rats received O3, Group (6) EB-treated rats received methylprednisolone (MP), and Group (7) EB-treated rats received half the dose of MP concomitant with O3. EB-treated rats showed a significant increase in the number of footfalls in the grid walk test, decreased brain GSH, and paraoxonase-1 enzyme activity, whereas brain MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, INF-γ, Cox-2 immunoreactivity, and p53 protein levels were increased. A significant decline in brain serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and MBP immunoreactivity was also reported. Significant improvement of the above-mentioned parameters was demonstrated with the administration of either MP or O3, whereas best amelioration was achieved by combining half the dose of MP with ozone.

Fenugreek and Balanites are two plants commonly used in Egyptian folk medicine as hypoglycemic agents. In the present study, the effects of 21 days oral administration of Fenugreek seed and Balanites fruit extracts (1.5 g/kg bw) on the liver and kidney glycogen content and on some key liver enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in STZ-diabetic rats were studied. In addition, the effects of these two plant extracts on the intestinal alpha-amylase activity in vitro and starch digestion and absorption in vivo were also examined. Results indicated that single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg bw) caused 5-folds increase in the blood glucose level, 80% reduction in serum insulin level, 58% decrease in liver glycogen and 7-folds increase in kidney glycogen content as compared to the normal levels. The activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was markedly increased, whereas, the activities of both glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phospho-fructokinase were significantly decreased in the diabetic rat liver. Administration of Fenugreek extract to STZ-diabetic rats reduced blood glucose level by 58%, restored liver glycogen content and significantly decreased kidney glycogen as well as liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Meanwhile, Balanites extract reduced blood glucose level by 24% and significantly decreased liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity in diabetic rats. On the other hand, our results demonstrated that both the Fenugreek and Balanites extracts were able to in vitro inhibit alpha-amylase activity in dose-dependent manner. Fenugreek was more potent inhibitor than Balanites. This inhibition was reversed by increasing substrate concentration in a pattern which complies well with the effect of competitive inhibitors. Furthermore, this in vitro inhibition was confirmed by in vivo suppression of starch digestion and absorption induced by both plant extracts in normal rats. These findings suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of Fenugreek and Balanites is mediated through insulinomimetic effect as well as inhibition of intestinal alpha-amylase activity.

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non coding RNAs with essential roles, of which any alteration leads to several conditions. Their roles in diabetes (DM) and its vascular complications have not been completely assessed. Aim to study the association of two miRNAs; 9 and 370, with biochemical parameters of type 2 diabetic (T2D), dyslipidemia and coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects and Methods Blood samples were taken from 200 subjects of both genders, in the Outpatient clinic of Al Qasr El-Einy teaching hospitals, in which levels of both miRNAs (using real time PCR) and routine parameters were measured. Subjects were divided over four groups, 50 in each group as follows; patients with T2D, patients with CAD, patients with T2D and CAD, and healthy control subjects. Main Outcome miRNA 9 levels were expected to be over expressed in diabetic patients, while miRNA 370 levels were expected to be over expressed in those suffering from CAD and their association with CAD complication of T2D. Results miRNA 9 levels were significantly higher in T2D patients and T2D patients with CAD, (1.18±0.07, and 1.31±0.08 respectively), while miRNA 370 levels were significantly higher in T2D patients, CAD patients, and T2D patients with CAD (0.59±0.05, 1.00±0.05, and 1.20±0.06 respectively), compared to control group at p = 0.000. In addition both miRNAs were still significantly associated with each other even after conducting multiple regression analysis. Conclusion This study associates the possible role of miRNAs in the diagnosis/prognosis of CAD complication of T2D.

BACKGROUND Folate metabolism dysfunctions can result in DNA hypomethylation and abnormal chromosome segregation. Two common polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) encoding gene (C677T and A1298C) reduce MTHFR activity, but when associated with aneuploidy, the results are conflicting. Turner Syndrome (TS) is an interesting model for investigating the association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and nondisjunction because of the high frequency of chromosomal mosaicism in this syndrome. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in TS patients and their mothers and to correlate these polymorphisms with maternal risk of TS offspring. SUBJECTS AND METHODS MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were genotyped in 33 TS patients, their mothers and 15 healthy females with their mothers as controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing technique. RESULTS Genotype and allele frequencies of both C677T and A1298C were not significantly different between TS cases and controls. There were no significant differences in C677T genotype distribution between the TS mothers and controls (p=1). The MTHFR 1298AA and 1298AC genotypes were significantly increased in TS mothers Vs. control mothers (p=0.002). The C allele frequency of the A1298C polymorphism was significantly different between the TS mothers and controls (p=0.02). The association of A1298C gene polymorphism in TS patients was found to increase with increasing age of both mothers (p=0.026) and fathers (p=0.044) of TS cases. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a strong association between maternal MTHFR A1298C and risk of TS in Egypt.

Poor knowledge about Fragile X syndrome (FXS) may be a major barrier to early diagnosis that could improve quality of life and prognosis especially in the developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate simple and reproducible method for premutation detection in females of fragile X families for the first time in Egypt. We have developed a rapid modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based screening tool for expanded Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) alleles. This method utilizes betaine as additive to facilitate FMR 1 gene amplification. We screened fifty three males, thirty two first-degree females; twenty normal healthy controls in addition to six reference samples. Simple PCR method showed 16 males with abnormal CGG repeats, where 10 of their mothers and four sisters had FMR 1 premutation. Consanguineous marriage was present in 66.6% percent of the studied families. Studying the correlation between genotype and clinical manifestations showed premature ovarian failure in 40% and learning disability in 50% of the studied female carriers. FXS has to be ruled out in families with consanguineous parents, before assuming that familial mental retardation is due to autosomal recessive gene defects. Early carrier detection may reduce the number of affected children. In conclusion, more studies are still needed of much larger sample size with known allele sizes in order to guarantee the accuracy of the method used.

Experimental hypercholesterolemia and its modulation by some natural dietary supplements (pectin, garlic and ginseng) and by the drug gemfibrozil were studied. Experimental hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding rabbits a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet for 28 days. Hypercholesterolemic rabbits were classified into five groups. One group did not receive treatments and served as a control hypercholesterolemic group. The other four groups were fed the cholesterol-enriched diet in conjunction with either 10% pectin, 2% garlic, 2% ginseng or 135 mg g-1 b.w gemfibrozil in a daily oral dose. A normal group of rabbits fed a plain chow diet was also included in the study. The hypolipidemic effect of the above treatments was examined by estimating serum triglycerides (TG), total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol. Post-heparin total and hepatic lipase activities were estimated in post-heparin plasma obtained 10 min after an intravenous injection of heparin (200 IU kg-1 b.w). In order to evaluate the antioxidant status of the rabbits, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. After killing, aorta from all rabbits were subjected to histopathological examination. Results of the study demonstrated that feeding the cholesterol-enriched diet caused a significant increase in total-, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol, plasma MDA and post-heparin total and hepatic lipase activities. On the other hand, serum TG and erythrocyte SOD were not changed. Histopathological examination revealed marked alteration in the aortic wall with the appearance of large multiple atheromatous plaques. Both garlic and pectin were successful in a significant reduction of the hypercholesterolemia in a way comparable to gemfibrozil. Garlic was the only treatment that has antilipid peroxidative property. Erythrocyte SOD activity was not affected by hypercholesterolemia or by any of the treatments. Also, none of the treatments were able to modify the significant elevation of post-heparin lipolytic activities associated with the hypercholesterolemia or to significantly affect the serum triglycerides level. Finally, among the hypercholesterolemic groups that received treatments, the least changes in the aortic wall were shown in the animals of the gemfibrozil group. Slight degeneration was observed in the aorta of animals treated with pectin or garlic. Ginseng administration failed to exert any significant protection from the remarkable hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerosis associated with the cholesterol- enriched diet.

Objectives: Asthma is a genetically heterogeneous disease. Genetic variants in vitamin D pathway have been reported to be involved with asthma risk. The study aimed to test whether vitamin D binding protein (VDBP or GC-group component) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms were associated with asthma characteristics as well as vitamin D level in Egyptian children. Design and methods: The study included 51 asthmatic children and 33 healthy controls of matched sex and age. All participants were genotyped for two SNPs; GC (rs2282679) and VDR (rs2228570) using TaqMan allele discrimination assays. Results: Genotype distribution of GC and VDR showed a significant association with asthma ( P = 0.02, P = 0.002). Children carrying the risk “G” allele for GC SNP are 2.22 times more prone to develop asthma [OR = 2.22, 95% CI (1.18–4.2)] whereas those carrying the risk “F” allele for VDR SNP are nearly twice and half times susceptible for asthma development [OR = 2.68, 95% CI (1.36–5.28)] than healthy individuals. For the GC SNP, homozygous children “GG” exhibited significant difference in pulmonary functions (FEV1, FEV1/FVC), asthma severity and asthma control, IgE and vitamin D levels compared to pooled cases of GT and TT genotypes. For the VDR SNP, no significant association between VDR variants and the tested characteristics except for the pulmonary functions where the FEV1/FVC in asthmatic children with “FF ” genotype differ significantly from those carrying “Ff”genotype. Conclusion: GC and VDR variants may be implicated in asthma susceptibility; hence, further larger studies are still needed to extrapolate our findings to the general population.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated to infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become the fastest-rising cause of cancer-related deaths. Genetic variations may play an important role in the development of HCC in HCV patients. Ghrelin exerts anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and hepatoprotective effects on chronically injured hepatic tissues. Ghrelin gene shows several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including − 604G/A, Arg51Gln, and Leu72Met. Hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations namely C282Y and H63D may cause hepatic iron overload, thus increasing the risk of HCC in HCV patients. Aim To investigate the association of progression of HCC with ghrelin and HFE gene polymorphisms in HCV Egyptian patients. Methods Seventy-nine chronic HCV patients (thirty-nine developed HCC and forty did not), and forty healthy control subjects were included in the study. The polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR/RFLP analysis, and related protein levels were measured by either ELISA or colorimetric assays. Results The three tested SNPs on ghrelin gene were detected in the studied groups, only one SNP (Arg51Gln) showed significantly higher GA, AA genotypes and A allele frequencies in hepatitis C patients who developed HCC than in hepatitis C patients without HCC and controls. Of the two mutations studied on HFE gene only H63D heterozygous allele was detected, and its frequency did not statistically differ among studied groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that A allele at position 346 of the ghrelin gene is associated with susceptibility to HCC in hepatitis C patients.

Background/Purpose Noonan syndrome (NS) is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder with dysmorphic facies, short stature, and cardiac defects, which can be caused by missense mutations in the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 11 ( PTPN11 ) gene, which encodes src homology region 2 domain containing tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2), a protein tyrosine phosphatase that acts in signal transduction downstream to growth factors and cytokines. The current study aimed to study the molecular characterization of the PTPN11 gene among Egyptian patients with Noonan syndrome. Methods Eleven exons of the PTPN11 gene were amplified and screened by single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP). DNA samples showing band shift in SSCP were subjected to sequencing. Results Mutational analysis of the PTPN11 gene revealed T→C transition at position 854 in exon 8, predicting Phe285Ser substitution within PTP domain of SHP-2 protein, in one NS patient and –21C→T polymorphism in intron 7 in four other cases. Conclusion Knowing that NS is phenotypically heterogeneous, molecular characterization of the PTPN11 gene should serve to establish NS diagnosis in patients with atypical features, although lack of a mutation does not exclude the possibility of NS.

Bladder carcinoma is an important worldwide health problem. Both cystoscopy and urine cytology used in detecting bladder cancer suffer from drawbacks where cystoscopy is an invasive method and urine cytology shows low sensitivity in low-grade tumors. This study validates easier and less time-consuming techniques for the estimation of survivin and TIMP-2 in urine of bladder cancer patients to evaluate them in comparison with cytology. This study includes malignant (bladder cancer patients, n = 42), benign (patients with bilharzial cystitis, n = 22) and healthy (n = 21) groups. The studied groups were subjected to cystoscopic examination, detection of bilharzial antibodies, urine cytology, and estimation of urinary survivin by qualitative RT-nested PCR and TIMP-2 by ELISA. Significantly higher positivity rates of urinary survivin and TIMP-2 were observed in the malignant group compared with benign and healthy groups. On associating the two urinary markers with different clinicopathological factors, only TIMP-2 exerted significantly higher positivity rate in invasive stage (100%) than superficial stage (82.3%). Survivin showed 78.6% sensitivity, 95.3% specificity, 94.3% PPV, 82% NPV, and 87% accuracy. When combined with urine cytology, the sensitivity increased to 83.3%. While on applying the cutoff value of urinary TIMP-2 (< or =639.5 pg/mg protein), it showed 93% sensitivity, 83.7% specificity, 85% PPV, 92.3% NPV, and 88.2% accuracy. When combined with urine cytology, the TIMP-2 sensitivity remained 93%. On combining cytology with both urinary survivin and TIMP-2, the highest sensitivity was reached (98%). Survivin and TIMP-2 can be considered as potentially useful urine markers in early detection of bladder cancer.

Manal Fouad Ismail,1 Aliaa Nabil ElMeshad,2 Neveen Abdel-Hameed Salem31Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Narcotics and Ergogenic Aids and Poisons, National Research Center, Giza, EgyptBackground: To sustain the effect of rivastigmine, a hydrophilic cholinesterase inhibitor, nanobased formulations were prepared. The efficacy of the prepared rivastigmine liposomes (RLs) in comparison to rivastigmine solution (RS) was assessed in an aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced Alzheimer’s model.Methods: Liposomes were prepared by lipid hydration (F1) and heating (F2) methods. Rats were treated with either RS or RLs (1 mg/kg/day) concomitantly with AlCl3 (50 mg/kg/day).Results: The study showed that the F1 method produced smaller liposomes (67.51 ± 14.2 nm) than F2 (528.7 ± 15.5 nm), but both entrapped the same amount of the drug (92.1% ± 1.4%). After 6 hours, 74.2% ± 1.5% and 60.8% ± 2.3% of rivastigmine were released from F1 and F2, respectively. Both RLs and RS improved the deterioration of spatial memory induced by AlCl3, with RLs having a superior effect. Further biochemical measurements proved that RS and RLs were able to lower plasma C-reactive protein, homocysteine and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels. RS significantly attenuated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, whereas Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity was enhanced compared to the AlCl3-treated animals; however, RLs succeeded in normalization of AChE and Na+/K+ ATPase activities. Gene-expression profile showed that cotreatment with RS to AlCl3-treated rats succeeded in exerting significant decreases in BACE1, AChE, and IL1B gene expression. Normalization of the expression of the aforementioned genes was achieved by coadministration of RLs to AlCl3-treated rats. The profound therapeutic effect of RLs over RS was evidenced by nearly preventing amyloid plaque formation, as shown in the histopathological examination of rat brain.Conclusion: RLs could be a potential drug-delivery system for ameliorating Alzheimer's disease.Keywords: rivastigmine, Alzheimer’s disease, liposomes, rats, gene expression