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Graphical abstract, The major histocompatibility complex class I-related gene A (MICA) is an antigen induced by stress and performs an integral role in immune responses as an anti-infectious and antitumor agent. This work was designed to investigate whether (SNP) rs2596542C/T in MICA promoter region is predictive of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or not. Forty-seven healthy controls and 94 HCV-infected patients, subdivided into 47 LC and 47 HCC subjects were enrolled in this study. SNP association was studied using real time PCR and soluble serum MICA concentration was measured using ELISA. Results showed that heterozygous genotype rs2596542CT was significantly (P = 0.022) distributed between HCC and LC related CHC patients. The sMICA was significantly higher (P = 0.0001) among HCC and LC. No significant association (P = 0.56) between rs2596542CT genotypes and sMICA levels was observed. Studying SNP rs2596542C/T association with HCC and LC susceptibility revealed that statistical significant differences (P = 0.013, P = 0.027) were only observed between SNP rs2596542C/T and each of HCC and LC, respectively, versus healthy controls, indicating that the rs2596542C/T genetic variation is not a significant contributor to HCC development in LC patients. Moreover, the T allele was considered a risk factor for HCC and LC vulnerability in HCV patients (OR = 1.93 and 2.1, respectively), while the C allele contributes to decreasing HCC risk. Therefore, SNP (rs2596542C/T) in MICA promoter region and sMICA levels might be potential useful markers in the assessment of liver disease progression to LC and HCC.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in Egypt. Few studies have been conducted to assess the relationship between vitamin D serum level and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms with the survival of PC patients. This is the first study in Egypt to investigate the association of the status of vitamin D serum level and genotypic distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) Fok1 with the risk of developing PC and whether they could detect survival or not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 47 PC cases that were histopathologically proven to have PC, and 37 controls that were attending at the same time for investigation but proved that they were all PC free. Pre-diagnostic concentrations of vitamin D and VDR polymorphism Fok1 were assessed from all participants in the study. RESULTS: There was a 1.5-fold increase in the serum level of vitamin D in PC patients when compared to non-PC subjects. Regarding VDR Fok1, polymorphism distribution in PC was CC (Wild Type) 26 (55.3%), CT 16 (34%), and TT 5 patients (10.7%). For the control group, CC was found in 24 (64.8%), CT in 12 (32.4%), and TT genotype was found only in one individual 1 (2.8%) with no statistically significant difference between the two studied groups (P 0.72). CONCLUSION: Low serum vitamin D or VDR-SNP is not a risk factor for PC in Egyptian patients. Recommendations to increase vitamin D concentrations in healthy persons for the prevention of cancer and improving overall survival should be carefully considered.

Increasing growth of the petroleum industry has resulted in huge amounts of various waste materials, which need proper disposal and valorization. The complexity, slow rate, and high cost of various remediation methods for wastes from the petroleum industry and the potential of utilizing these wastes in construction sectors have attracted huge attention. To select the best utilization option for petroleum industry wastes, the composition, microstructure of waste materials, and their influence and mechanism on the targeted construction materials must be clarified. Such data may help researchers predict the physical and chemical properties of newly developed formulations and tailor them based on their required composition by using optimum admixture components and additional treatments. Despite research on the utilization of petroleum waste materials in the construction industry, they are relatively incremental and limited in scope and need more scientific attention considering the composition, structure, influence of various components on one another in admixture formulation, preparation mechanism, effect of treatments, eco-friendliness, and cost efficiency. This paper provides an overview on the utilization of various petroleum waste materials in construction sectors and provide some directions for future research.

Evidences supporting the association between H. pylori infection and chronic cholecystitis could be found by using direct culture or staining of H. pylori in gallbladder tissues as well as indirect techniques. Stool antigen test has been widely used due to its noninvasive nature. Various stool antigen tests were developed to detect H. pylori using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) based on monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies This study evaluated the frequency of H. pylori antigen in stool samples of patients with chronic calcular cholecystitis as regard gall bladder histopathological changes. Fifty patients were included presented with symptomatic qholecystolithiasis recruited from the outpatient clinic of National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute during 2014-2015. Full history and clinical examination and abdominal ultrasonography were performed. Stool samples were collected, prepared and examined for detection of H. pylori antigen. Cholecystectomy was done for all patients; 45 patients (90%) by laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and 5 patients (10%) by open surgery and removed gallbladders were submitted to pathology department for detection of H. pylori in tissue under microscope using Giemsa stain. The results showed that (82%) were females with mean age (42.6 +/- 1 years). The mean BMI was (29 + 7.2) H. pylori-specific antigen in stool samples was detected in 40% of patients and 38% were detected in patients; tissue, with significant correlation between H. pylori-specific antigen in stool and in tissue. Histopathological pictures infection in tissue were 68.4% mucosal erosions, 63.2% mucosal atrophy, 57.9% mucosal hyperplasia, 26.3% metaplasia, 42.1% musculosa hypertrophy, 26.3% fibrosis, but lymphoid aggregates were in 42.1% of cases.

Recent work demonstrated the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the bile and gallbladder of more than 75 % of patients with gallbladder cancer and more than 50 % of patients with chronic cholecystitis. The aim of the work was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori in the gallbladder of patients operated on for chronic cholecystitis and relating their presence to the precancerous histological changes. In our study, fifty patients were operated on for chronic cholecystitis. The patients were subdivided into two groups (each includes 25 patients): H. pylori-positive group, who had H. pylori in their gallbladder mucosa detected by Giemsa stain, and H. pylori-negative group. The histological findings (mucosal erosions, atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia, lymphoid infiltration, musculosa hypertrophy, and fibrosis) were compared between the two groups. Comparing the histological findings of the H. pylori-infected gallbladders with the non-infected ones, the gallbladders with mucosal hyperplasia, metaplasia/dysplasia, and lymphoid infiltration showed statistically significant differences, with a P value of 0.028, 0.049, and 0.022, respectively. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were detected between the two groups in the degree of mucosal erosions (P = 0.299), atrophy, musculosa hypertrophy (P = 1.000), and fibrosis (P = 1.000). These results highlight the role of H. pylori infection in aggravating the mucosal lesions (mucosal hyperplasia, metaplasia, and lymphoid infiltration) of the gallbladder that is considered potentially precancerous.

A desiccant cooling system is among the best options to overcome future energy demand issues while considering human comfort by its ability to control both temperature and humidity. Although desiccant materials remarkably affect the performance of desiccant-based cooling systems, most studies focus on the design. This paper presents a review of the recent investigations on advanced desiccant materials regarding the improvement of the material properties for desiccant cooling application, emphasizing other important parameters, such as environmental conditions, cost, and design to achieve optimal performance. The preparation and performance of silica- and carbon-based desiccant materials are discussed. The current most suitable desiccant materials under different conditions for desiccant air conditioning systems and suggestions for future works are presented.

Aim: Cirrhosis represents a common histological pathway for a wide variety of chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most important cause of liver cirrhosis in Egypt. Although cirrhosis has been regarded as a relative contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as a result of bleeding complications and subsequent liver failure, several reports support the safety of LC in selected patients. This was a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LC in cirrhotic patients. Methods: A total of 177 hepatitis C positive patients with chronic calculus cholecystitis who here scheduled for LC between January 2010 and March 2011 were included in the present study. LC was carried out on patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two risk stratification-schemes were used to estimate the perioperative risk of patients with cirrhosis; the Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) score and the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Results: All patients were HCV-positive patients with Child class A cirrhosis and MELD score ≤ 9. Mean surgical time was 55 min. Surgical difficulty varied between average in 64%, moderate in 28% and extensive in 8%, where 3.4% required conversion to open cholecystectomy. Postoperative follow up of all patients was a multidisciplinary approach by both surgeons and hepatologists. All patients showed sound recovery confirmed by abdominal sonar to exclude intra-abdominal collections, and application of both CTP and MELD scores, where all patients kept a Child class A score and MELD score ≤ 9. Conclusion: LC is a safe procedure for hepatitis C-positive cirrhotic patients when established risk stratifications systems, such as CTP and MELD scores, are used for evaluation.

Laparoscopic assisted percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (LAPRFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under guidance of intra-operative laparoscopic ultrasound (IOLUS) is a new modality for obtaining additional assessment of the liver situation, better tumor staging and effective treatment for the hepatic focal lesion (HFL), in patients with a difficult percutaneous approach. Between September 2010 and July 2014, 1150 patients with HCC on top of liver cirrhosis were referred to HCC clinic (MDT clinic) at National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI). Fourty nine patients were submitted to LAPRFA under IOLUS guidanceby the Multidiscipplinary team decision. Operation time, hospital stay, post procedure complications were recorded. A routine spiral CT scan one month postoperative and laporatory investigations with AFP were mandatory during follow up. The results showed that LAPRFA was completed in all patients. The IOLUS examination identified new HFL in three patients. A total of 52 lesions were treated. The mean operative time was 92 minutes; eight procedures were associated in six patients: cholecystectomy (6) and adhesiolysis (2). A complete tumor ablation was observed in all patients during the procedure by the U/S assessment intra-operatively, and was documented via spiral computed tomography (CT scan) one mopth after treatment.

Tracheobronchial benign stenoses may cause life-threatening emergencies. Here, we will describe a novel technique for the management of tracheal and bronchial stenoses using an intra-aortic balloon pump. The intra-aortic balloon pump was used for dilatation of a postoperative tracheal stricture in a 43-year-old man and a bronchial stricture in a 29-year-old woman with Wegener's granulematosis. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications in either patient, and the stenosis was relieved successfully in each patient. The intra-aortic balloon pump can be used safely and effectively for the management of difficult tracheobronchial strictures.

We studied 42 patients who suffered from mercury poisoning caused by Granosan M, an organic mercurial compound used as a seed fungicide. It resulted from ingestion of bread prepared from seed wheat treated with the fungicide. The clinical manifestations are described with particular emphasis on the electrocardiographic changes. Almost all the cases investigated showed some abnormalities. 1. (1) S-T segment depression, with or without T wave changes was the predominant finding, and in 1 case only the S-T segment was elevated with T inversion. 2. (2) Prolongation of the Q-T interval ranging from 0.40 to 0.60 sec. was the second common finding. 3. (3) Arrhythmias most probably were due to increased irritability of the myocardium consisting of ventricular ectopic beats, multiple or multifocal. Sometimes short runs of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia were noted.