Vol.6 No.2 – 5: Role of Human Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene1 (HPTTG1) as a prognostic biomarker for metastasis in Egyptian patients breast, colon and Liver cancer

By: Samir Ali Mohamed El-Masry1, Sherif Mohsen Elsherbini1,

Abdelmoneam Ahmed Abdelmoneam2, Ahmed Gouda Ibrahim Radwan1

1-Molecular Biology department, Genetic Engineering, and Biotechnology Research Institute, Sadat City University, Egypt, 32897

2- Haemato-Oncology department, Faculty of Medicine, Banha University, Egypt, 13511

Abstract

hPTTG1 is an oncogene that overexpressed in most human carcinomas. It was reported to be involved in cell cycle regulation and sister chromatid separation.  PTTG expression level has been associated with tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. In this study, hPTTG1 expression was analyzed in three cancer patients’ groups including; breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma patients using RT-PCR. Our data revealed that the expression of PTTG1 was high in three groups; however, the metastatic cases reported higher expression levels of PTTG1 compared to non-metastatic groups. Thus, PTTG1 could be a prognostic marker in different types of cancer patients, and targeting PTTG1 might be a good strategy against metastasis.

Role of Human Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene1 (hPTTG1) as a prognostic biomarker in Egyptian patients breast, colon and liver cancer.

Download PDF

Vol.6 No.2 – 4: Effect of Polyethylene and Butylated Hydroxytoluene on the histological structure and some enzymes of rat liver

By: Hassan Al-Harbia, Zaki Al-Hasawib, Yaser Binnaserc, Reem Al-Hasawid , Faiz Al-Solamia  and Abdullah Al- Ghamdia

aPoison Control and Medical Forensic Toxicology Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

bDepartment of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

cDepartment of Biology, College of Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Medina Al-Munawara, Saudia Arabia

dDepartment of Chemistry Sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts, King Abdul Aziz University, Rabig, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This research studied the effect of polyethylene (PE), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), PE with BHT, and the thermally-treated PE on the histopathological examination and some biochemical activities of the liver of adult male mice.105 mice were divided into 5 groups. The (PE group) supplied with 20% crushed PE, the (BHT group) supplied 400mg/kg of BHT dissolved in corn oil, the (PE + BHT group) were fed with 20% crushed PE and 400mg/kg of BHT dissolved in corn oil, the (thermally treated PE group) supplied food with 20% of crushed thermally-treated PE, and the control group.  The weight of the mice was recorded before the study and after 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected to determine the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The animals were sacrificed; the liver was weighed before and after treatments and examined microscopically. Liver specimens were stained and examined by a light microscope. The results showed that the mean weights of the mice in PE, BHT, and PE + BHT groups were statistically reduced and the mean weights of their livers significantly (p≥0.05) increased and the enzymes AST and ALT in the blood significantly (p≥0.05) increased in comparison to the control group. The histopathological examination of the liver specimens showed significant changes with all PE and BHT treatments. The results of the current investigation suggest preventing the use of plastic in food preservation and replacing it with safe grade substance like wood materials

Effect of Polyethylene and Butylated Hydroxytoluene on the histological structure and some enzymes of rat liver-converted

Download PDF

Vol.6 No.2 – 3: Impact of Selenium Compared to Thiotacid Supplementation on Fatigue Score in Hemodialysis Patients

By: Zeinab Al Kasaby1, Mohamed Abdel Latif2, Magdy ElSharkawy3, Maha Abd Elrhman4, Hosny A. Elewa5

1- Assistant Professor and Head of Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University

2- Professor and Head of Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assuit University

3- Professor of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University

4- Master degree in pharmaceutical science, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University

5- Assistant Professor and Head of Pharmacy Practice Department, Horus University

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis patients (HD) always suffer from fatigue, which is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population. Purpose: To evaluate the intensities of fatigue in HD patients, we evaluated the impact of selenium and thiotacid on their fatigue level and the reflection of their antioxidant effect on HRQoL. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. It was carried out in two dialysis units of Ain Shams University Hospitals. The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (REC), Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, No. (FMASU MD, 381/2018). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Between August 2018 and January 2019, HD patients who completed the Arabic Translated form of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). FSS was assessed at baseline and three months after starting therapy with selenium or thiotacid. Results: All HD patients were suffering from severe fatigue states (mean fatigue scores of 6.04, 6.09, and 6.115) for the control, selenium, and thiotacid groups, respectively. After three months, the mean fatigue score elevated from 6.04 to 6.518 in the control group. Supplementation with selenium and thiotacid positively affected the reduction of fatigue score by 46.5% and 44.19% in selenium and thiotacid groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two drugs in the improvement of fatigue state in both treated groups. Conclusion: Selenium or thiotacid supplementations successfully decreased fatigue in HD patients.

Impact of Selenium Compared to Thiotacid Supplementation on Fatigue Score in Hemodialysis Patients (Autosaved)-converted

Download PDF

Vol.6 No.2 – 2: Comparative effect of extracts of Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) from three regions on the biochemical parameters of hypertensive rats

Yao Honoré N’GUESSAN*1,2, Wawa Justine TIEKPA3, Mandé Ryta Adélaïde DOUE2, Cassime TIEMOKO2, Chérif Moustapha KARAMOKO2, Alain Dit Phillippe BIDIE1,2, Daouda KONE1.

1 African Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture, Félix Houphouet-Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Ivory Coast.

2 Pharmacodynamics-Biochemical Laboratory, UFR Biosciences, Félix Houphouet-Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Ivory Coast.

3 Péliforo Gon Coulibaly University, BP 1328 Korhogo, Ivory Coast

Abstract

Blighia sapida is a plant with many therapeutic virtues. In Ivory Coast, this plant is widespread in several regions with different climatic conditions. The aim of our study is to compare the effects of aqueous extracts of Blighia sapida harvested in three Ivorian regions on the biochemical parameters of rats made hypertensive by a fructose diet. Rats (20) were fed a high fructose diet (70% fructose, 10% fat, 20% protein) for 30 days. Then blood pressure was measured from an armband to the tail of the rats. Finally, biochemical and lipid parameters were measured before and after the fructose-enriched diet. All rats fed the high-fructose diet had similar rates of hypertension (SBP = 160.0 ± 0.07 mmHg; DBP = 141.5 ± 1.21 mmHg; HR = 325.7 ± 1.52 beats/min) and a change in dosing parameters. Aqueous extracts of Blighia sapida from Adzopé (EAA) and Korhogo (EAK) administered to hypertensive rats normalized the previously increased cardiovascular, biochemical and lipid parameters compared to control rats (healthy and untreated diseased rats). However, the aqueous extract of Blighia sapida of Adzopé (EAA) showed the best effects on hypertension compared to the aqueous extract of Blighia sapida of Korhogo (EAK). Indeed, the more humid the region and the climate, the more effective the extract is. The regulating effect of aqueous extracts of Blighia sapida on blood pressure, therefore, differs from one region to another with different climatic conditions. This would explain its use in traditional medicine in certain climatic zones compared to others where its therapeutic effects would be unknown because less. Adzopé would, therefore, be the best region where Blighia sapida should be harvested for the optimal treatment of high blood pressure.

Comparative effect of extracts of Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae) from three regions on the biochemical parameters of hypertensive rats-converted

Download PDF

Vol.6 No.2 – 1: Elevated serum NAGAL levels were associated with cardiovascular diseases in pediatric chronic kidney disease

By: Mohamed A. Abdelrazek 1,2*, Hossam T. ElAgamy 3, Lamiaa A. Barakat 3, Gamal T. Soliman4, Mohamed A. Basuni 5

1 Biotechnology Research Center, New Damietta, Egypt

2 Sherbin Central Hospital, Ad Daqahliyah, Ministry of Health, Egypt

3 Faculty of Science, Port-Said University, Port-Said, Egypt

4 Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt

5 Mansoura Children hospital, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Early cardiovascular disease (CVD) management and prediction have become mandatory in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Association between neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and CVD events in pediatric CKD patients remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to evaluate this relationship and to clarify the association between NGAL serum levels and some CVD related parameters. Subjects and methods: A total of 70 children patients with CKD (30 with and 40 without CVD). The patient’s data were retrospectively recorded from the medical files of each patient. NGAL serum levels were measured by ELISA commercial kits. Association between different parameters was assessed by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: NGAL serum levels were significantly (P<0.0001) higher in patients with CVD (2450 (1335-2880) pg/mL) than patients without CVD (371 (285-1363) pg/mL) and healthy controls (295 (166-357) pg/mL). At 1300 pg/mL, NGAL has a good CVD predictive function with a high area under curve (AUC=0.871). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 80, 80, 63.2, 90.3 and 80%, respectively. CVD risk increase with elevated NGAL serum levels (>1300 pg/mL) (OR=2.57, 95 CI (1.62-4.09), P<0.0001). Carotid intima thickness was associated with elevated NGAL levels. Both NGAL and carotid intima thickness were significantly correlated with dialysis duration, uric acid, and lipid profile. Conclusion: NGAL was associated with CVD events in children with CKD with good predictive value supporting NGAL putative role in CVD pathophysiology. But NGAL in CVD is still in the early stages and future studied needed to evaluate its association with CVD severity.

Elevated serum NAGAL levels were associated with cardiovascular diseases in pediatric chronic kidney disease-converted

Download PDF