ABSTRACT
Background: hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] represents a global health problem. It is the fifth most common solid tumor and the third cause of cancer-related mortality per year. In Egypt, it represents 75% of malignant liver tumors. Early detection and diagnosis of these cases are required for successful treatments and improved outcomes
Aim of the Work: this study aimed to detect serum galactin-3 levels in patients with HCC, liver cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis [HBV, or HCV] patients
Patients and Methods: this prospective study was conducted on a total of 60 patients, 20 of them with chronic viral hepatitis B or C, 20 with cirrhosis secondary to chronic viral hepatitis and 20 with HCC secondary to chronic viral hepatitis. It was carried out at the Clinical Pathology Department, Tanta University Hospital
Results: the mean galectin-3 levels were 15.5 ng/mL [ +/- 5.5] in HCC patients, 20.46 ng/mL [ +/- 7.56] in cirrhotic patients and 7.003 ng/mL [ +/- 4.24] in chronic viral hepatitis group. There were statistical differences between HCC and cirrhotic patients [P < 0.03], but they were lower in chronic hepatitis group statistically compared to cirrhosis and HCC [P < 0.001]
Conclusion: serum galectin-3 levels in patients with chronic HBV or HCV may guide us about progression to cirrhosis or HCC and prognosis of the disease. In these patients, if galectin-3 levels were found to be high, serum alpha feto protein level and ultrasonographic examination could be repeated at more frequent intervals. This may also guide us in terms of the treatment plan
Recommendations: it was recommended to measure changes of galectin-3 in hepatitis carries. Measurement of galectin-3 in a large scale of patients to explore its prognostic value
ABSTRACT
Background: hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] represents a global health problem. It is the fifth most common cancer but the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. In Middle Eastern countries, liver cancer is a major concern among men, especially in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The incidence of HCC has increased sharply in the last 5-10 years, with an especially high incidence in Egypt. So, early detection and diagnosis of these cases are required for successful treatments and improved outcomes
Aim of the work: this study aimed to detect the efficacy of serum level of Midkine as an early marker for HCC diagnosis compared to AFP serum level
Patients and methods: this prospective study was conducted on a total of 50 subjects, 30 of them with HCC and 20 apparently healthy subjects matched for age and sex with patients. It was carried out at the Clinical Pathology Department, Tanta University Hospital
Results: a significant increase [p < 0.001] in serum midkine level was detected in HCC group compared with control group from a mean of 391.45 +/- 96.09, in control group to a mean of 10[7]4.53 +/- 106.27, in HCC
Conclusion: serum midkine may serve as a novel diagnostic tumor marker for the detection of hepatocellular carcinomas
Recommendations: it was recommended to do further studies on early cases with larger population including AFP-negative patients, to justify its implementation in clinical practice
ABSTRACT
Parasitic infection is still a serious public health problem in the world, especially in developing countries including Egypt. It represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood and among high-risk groups in most parts of the world. This study detected the prevalence of parasitic infection among school children in El-Wadi El-Gadded [the New Valley Governorate]. A total of randomly chosen 1615 students aged from 6-16 years, [771 males and 844 female] from 12 primary schools and 12 preparatory schools related to four centers [El Dakhala, El Farfra, Paris and Platt] from the New Valley Governorate. Each child was subject to: A questionnaire sheet, Urine examination through sedimentation methods, Stool examination using: Direct smear, Simple sedimentation method and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Stain, Blood samples were collected randomly from 450 children and examined for Seropositivity of toxoplasmosis using [On-SiteToxoIgG/IgM Rapid Test-Cassette] and examination of hair and clothes for ectoparasites [lice]. The overall prevalence of parasites was [39.1%] among primary and preparatory school children. The helminthes were E. vermicularis [15.2% and 17. 1%]; A. lumbricoides [1.3% and 1.9%] and then H. nana [0.9% and 0.6%] and the protozoa were E. histolytica [14.1% and 13.2%], Giardia lamblia [3.8% and 309%], and then Cryptosporidium parvum [0.09%] and seropositivity of toxoplasmosis was in [3.0% and 2.7%] among primary and preparatory school children respectively. Mixed infection was in [0.4%] among primary school children. Head lice infestation was more prevalent among primary school children than preparatory school ones with a ratio [3.5% and 0.2%] respectively, was nil among males
ABSTRACT
To study rates of survival and incidence of reoperation of complete atrioventricular septal defects [CAVSD] repair in Kuwait and to determine the risk factors affecting surgical outcome. Retrospective study. Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait. One hundred and forty consecutive patients during the 16-year period between January 1992 and December 2007. Surgical correction for CAVSD. Short and long-term surgical outcomes of repaired CAVSD; demographic, cardiac and surgical risk factors that influence the postoperative mortality and morbidity. Median age and weight at primary repair were 4.4 months and 5 kg respectively. Down syndrome was diagnosed in 78.6% of the patients. The operative mortality was 12.9% [95% CI 7.5, 18.3]. Significant postoperative complications, relative hypoplasia of left atrioventricular valve [LAVV] and / or left ventricle were shown to be independent risk factors of operative mortality in multivariate Cox's model [p < 0.01]. Actuarial estimate of survival at six months and 15.5 years following definitive repair after discharge was 99.1% and 98%, respectively. Freedom from reoperation at 16.5 years after definitive operation was 93.5% [95% CI 89.4,97.6]; most reoperations were related to LAVV regurgitation. In the multivariate model with LAVV dysplasia [2/8 = 25%] and hypoplasia [2/7 = 28.6%], patients with such valve abnormalities had less freedom from reoperation [p < 0.001]. Left heart obstructive lesion was shown to be an independent risk factor for CAVSD surgical outcomes. Detailed evaluation for such lesions should be performed peri-operatively to reduce the impact on operative mortality and LAVV reoperation