Serum long-noncoding RNA H19 and beta-catenin as biomarkers for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer in egyptian patients: a case control study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death; however, its early detection can improve the survival. Colonic polyps are considered one of the CRC's major risk factors. Throughout many biological processes and malignancies, the non-coding RNAs have essential functions. Certain long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), including H19, were supposed to be CRC possible biomarkers. Also, H19 has been reported to play a role in regulating the activity of beta-catenin, a protein that regulates cell-to-cell adhesion, as well as gene transcription. The current work aimed to investigate the potential significance of LncRNA H19 relative serum expression level by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and beta-catenin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as noninvasive biomarkers to discriminate between colorectal cancer and colonic polyps. The statistical analysis of the studied factors revealed that the serum expression of H19 and beta-catenin in cancer cases were substantially greater than colonic polyp cases and normal control. Conclusion: The relative expressions of H19 and beta-catenin in the serum can significantly discriminate patients with CRC from those with polyp and normal controls, which could help when screening for CRC. (AU)

Impact of the age of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails on Schistosoma mansoni transmission: modulation of the genetic outcome and the internal defence system of the snail

Of the approximately 34 identified Biomphalariaspecies,Biomphalaria alexandrinarepresents the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoniin Egypt. Using parasitological and SOD1 enzyme assay, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of the age of B. alexandrinasnails on their genetic variability and internal defence against S. mansoniinfection. Susceptible and resistant snails were reared individually for self-reproduction; four subgroups of their progeny were used in experiment. The young susceptible subgroup showed the highest infection rate, the shortest pre-patent period, the highest total cercarial production, the highest mortality rate and the lowest SOD1 activity. Among the young and adult susceptible subgroups, 8% and 26% were found to be resistant, indicating the inheritance of resistance alleles from parents. The adult resistant subgroup, however, contained only resistant snails and showed the highest enzyme activity. The complex interaction between snail age, genetic background and internal defence resulted in great variability in compatibility patterns, with the highest significant difference between young susceptible and adult resistant snails. The results demonstrate that resistance alleles function to a greater degree in adults, with higher SOD1 activity and provide potential implications for Biomphalariacontrol. The identification of the most susceptible snail age enables determination of the best timing for applying molluscicides. Moreover, adult resistant snails could be beneficial in biological snail control.

Nrf2 and P73 polymorphisms in Egyptian women with breast cancer

The aim of the study was to assess the role of Nrf2 promoter and P73 G4C14 to A4T14 polymorphisms in breast cancer and the potential relation to the onset of the disease. Eighty six female patients with breast tumor were included in this study. Nrf2 [rs6721961] and p73 [G4A] genetic polymorphisms in promoter and exon2 region respectively were investigated using PCR-CTPP assay. The genotype frequencies of the three genotypes of Nrf2 promoter SNP [CC, CA, AA] showed no significant difference between benign and malignant groups. Genotype frequencies for P73 G4A SNP [GG, GA] showed no significant difference between benign and malignant groups, no patient have the AA genotype. Regarding the onset of disease, the three Nrf2 genotypes in pre - and post-menopausal patients, showed that the distribution differ significantly in the 2 patients groups and that the AA genotype is significantly higher in the pre-menopausal patients compared to post-menopausal patients. Nrf2 [rs6721961] AA genotype might be related to early breast cancer onset. P73 G4A polymorphism shows no relation to both disease risk and disease onset. Therefore Nrf2 [rs6721961] promoter genotyping might be related to the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer

Comparison of four sleep questionnaires for screening obstructive sleep apnea

The increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] mandates the presence of simple but accurate tools to identify patients with this disorder for early detection and prevention of various serious consequences. This study aimed at comparing four sleep questionnaires as regards their predictive probabilities for OSA. A cross-sectional study included 234 patients presenting to the sleep clinic. Four sleep questionnaires [Berlin, Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], STOP, and STOP-Bang] were administered to the patients and scoring of the results of the questionnaires was done. Overnight attended polysomnography [PSG] was done for all patients and was considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of OSA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the four questionnaires were calculated. Of 234 screened patients; 87.1% had OSA, whereas 93.3%, 90.2%, 95.5%, and 68.3% were classified as being at high risk by the Berlin, STOP, STOP-Bang questionnaires and ESS, respectively. The STOP-Bang, Berlin and STOP questionnaires had the highest sensitivity to predict OSA [97.55%, 95.07% and 91.67%, respectively], moderate-to-severe OSA [97.74%, 95.48% and 94.35%, respectively] and severe OSA [98.65%, 97.3% and 95.95%, respectively], but with a very low specificity for OSA patients [26.32%, 25% and 25%, respectively], moderate-to-severe OSA patients [3.7%, 7.41% and 25.93%, respectively] and severe OSA patients [5.36%, 10.71% and 19.64%, respectively], while the ESS had the highest specificity to predict OSA, moderate-to-severe OSA and severe OSA [75%, 48.15% and 46.43%, respectively] but with the lowest sensitivity [72.55%, 75.71% and 79.73%, respectively]. The sensitivity of Berlin, STOP and STOP-Bang questionnaires was very high yet, the low specificity of these questionnaires results in increased false positives and failure of exclusion of individuals at low risk