Awareness and attitudes towards eye donation among medical and allied health students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Many national studies in Saudi Arabia have revealed a lack of knowledge about eye donation. The current study assessed awareness and attitudes towards eye donation among health faculty students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It aims to increase their awareness as future healthcare providers are expected to raise general awareness to attain more local corneal donations. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 1,060 health faculty students was conducted at King Abdulaziz University. Data were collected through an online questionnaire that covered participants' demographics, academic year, knowledge, and attitudes regarding eye donation. Results: Thirty-five percent of students had heard about eye donation, with the most common sources of information being social media (29%) and health workers (24%). Most respondents, 61% (n = 643), indicated willingness to donate their eyes after death. Of these respondents, 93% (n = 986), 6.8% (n = 72), and 0.2% (n = 2) had poor, fair, and good knowledge levels, respectively. A total of 66% (n = 696) and 34% (n = 364) had negative and positive attitudes, respectively. Conclusion: Students in this study showed low levels of knowledge and negative attitudes about eye donation. Students should be adequately educated about the significance of eye donation.

Antioxidant Genes Variants and Their Association with Sperm DNA Fragmentation.

Semen possesses a variety of antioxidant defense mechanisms which protect sperm DNA from the damaging effects of oxidative stress. Correlation between antioxidant genes variants and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) level is not sufficiently studied. Therefore, we investigated the association between several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): CYP1A1 (rs1048943A > G), CYP4F2 (rs2108622G > A), NRF2 (rs6721961C > A), PON1 (rs662A > G), NOS3 (rs1799983G > T), GSTM1 (null), CAT (rs1001179C > T), SOD2 (rs4880A > G), GSTP1 (rs1695A > G), PON2 (rs7493G > C), EPHX2 (rs1042064T > C), and AHR (rs2066853G > A) and elevated SDF. The study employed a case-control design where, the allele and genotype frequencies of the selected SNPs were compared between 75 semen samples with abnormal SDF (the cases) and 75 samples with normal SDF (the controls). DNA was extracted from the semen samples and allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) was used for genotyping the SNPs. Relevant data were collected from the patients' records et al.-Basma Fertility Center. Suitable statistical tests and multifactorial dimensionality reduction (MDR) test were used to anticipate SNP-SNP interactions. Comparison of semen parameters revealed significant differences between cases and controls in terms of liquefaction time, sperm total motility, and normal form. Genotype frequencies of NOS3 G > T (GT), SOD2 A > G (AA and AG), EPHX2 T > C (CC and CT), and AHR G > A (GA and GG) were significantly different between cases and controls. Allele frequencies of SOD2 (G-allele), and EPHX2 (T-allele) also significantly varied between cases and controls. MDR analysis revealed that the NOS3, SOD2, and EPHX2 SNPs combination has the highest impact on SDF. The study findings suggest that genetic variations in genes involved antioxidant defenses contribute to abnormal SDF.

ARID5B, IKZF1, GATA3, CEBPE, and CDKN2A germline polymorphisms and predisposition to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most frequent type of pediatric cancer. Germline single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including ARID5B (rs10821936 T/C), IKZF1 (rs4132601 T/G), GATA3 (rs3824662 G/T), CEBPE (rs2239633 G/A), and CDKN2A (rs3731217 A/C) have been linked to pediatric ALL in different populations. Hitherto, no previous studies have tested the relationship between these SNPs and pediatric ALL in Gaza strip. Therefore, we investigated the association between these polymorphisms and the occurrence of childhood ALL in this part of Palestine. This case-control study recruited 100 healthy controls and 78 ALL patients. Allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) technique was used for SNPs genotyping. Relevant statistical tests were used and the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) approach was applied in the analysis of gene-gene interactions. Minor alleles of ARID5B rs10821936 T/C (p = 0.007) and IKZF1 rs4132601 T/G (p = 0.045) were significantly higher in ALL patients. The homozygous (TT) genotype of GATA3 rs3824662 G/T (p = 0.038), (CC) of ARID5B rs10821936 T/C (p = 0.008), and (AC and CC) genotypes of CDKN2A rs3731217 A/C (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in ALL cases. On MDR analysis, the best model for ALL risk was the five-factor model combination of the examined SNPs (CVC = 10/10; TBA = 0.632; p < 0.0001). This work demonstrates the association of ARID5B rs10821936 T/C, IKZF1 rs4132601 T/G, GATA3 rs3824662 G/T, and CDKN2A rs3731217 A/C polymorphisms with increased risk of pediatric ALL among a patient cohort from Gaza Strip. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed in order to confirm these findings and test the value of these SNPs in prognosis and treatment sensitivity.

Minimally-invasive approach via percutaneous femoral cannulation for the resection of intra-cardiac masses: a single center experience in the Middle-East.

BACKGROUND: Intra-cardiac masses are rare and challenging lesions with an overall incidence ranging of 0.02-0.2%. Minimally invasive approaches have been recently introduced for surgical resection of these lesions. Here, we evaluated our early experience using minimally invasive techniques in addressing intra-cardiac lesions. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective descriptive study conducted between April 2018 to December 2020. All patients were diagnosed with cardiac tumors and treated via a right mini-thoracotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass through femoral cannulation at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah. RESULTS: Myxoma was the most common pathology representing 46% of cases followed by thrombus (27%), leiomyoma (9%), lipoma (9%) and angiosarcoma (9%). All tumors were resected with negative margins. One patient was converted to open sternotomy. Tumor locations were in the right atrium, left atrium, and left ventricle in 5, 3, and 3 patients, respectively. The median ICU stay was 1.33 days. The median length of hospitalization was 5.7 days. There was no 30-days hospital mortality recorded in this cohort. CONCLUSION: Our early experience shows that minimally invasive resection can be performed safely and effectively for intra-cardiac masses. The minimally invasive approach using a mini-thoracotomy with percutaneous femoral cannulation can be an effective alternative in resecting intra-cardiac masses that achieves clear margin resection, quick post-operative recovery, and low rates of recurrence for benign lesions.

A robotic-assisted hybrid coronary revascularization program: Establishment and early experience in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) is a technique that merges coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) approaches for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease. The surgical component of the procedure is minimally invasive and can be done using robotic technology that avoids the need for sternotomy. Our objective is to study all patients who underwent robotic-assisted HCR (RHCR) to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the procedure during the establishment phase. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah (KFSRC-J). The study focuses on patients who underwent RHCR between July 2018 to December 2020. The study was approved by the institutional review board #2020-103. RESULTS: Robotic-assisted HCR was performed on 78 patients (mean age, 56 years (range, 43-72 years); 89.75% males) during the study phase. Left internal mammary artery grafting was used in all patients. There was no hospital mortality, and the mean hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were 5.8 and 1.4 days, respectively. We found that 93.6% of the patients had no blood transfusion. There were no major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and perioperative MI recorded. There was a 3.8% rate of postoperative complications. The percentage of surgeries converted to conventional and re-exploration for bleeding were 1.2% and 2.6%, respectively. The average operation time was 164 min. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes on the safety and effectiveness of RHCR in treating patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Moreover, robotic-assisted hybrid coronary revascularization offers an alternative, functionally complete revascularization option to a selected group of patients with minimal surgical trauma, short hospital and ICU length of stay, quick recovery, and little to no blood transfusion requirement.

Diagnostic utility of specific abnormal EEG patterns in children for determining epilepsy phenotype and presence of structural brain abnormalities.

Objective: Estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of EEG findings: centrotemporal spikes, photoparoxysmal response, asymmetric photic driving, and asymmetric sleep spindles, for epilepsy phenotype and presence of structural brain abnormalities. Methods: In this case-control study we reviewed children referred for EEG over a 4-year period, with at least one of centrotemporal spikes, photoparoxysmal response, asymmetric photic driving, or asymmetric sleep spindles. This cohort was analyzed in combination with a research database of pediatric patients with seizures. Results: Centrotemporal spikes had 100% sensitivity for childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes or atypical childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, but lower specificity (70%) and PPV (58%). Photoparoxysmal response had high specificity (92%) and NPV (92%) for genetic generalized epilepsy. Asymmetric photic driving had low sensitivity for structural brain abnormalities (17%), with specificity 80%. In contrast, asymmetric sleep spindles had much higher sensitivity and specificity, 44% and 97%, respectively. Conclusions: Although centrotemporal spikes are classically associated with childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, these discharges are seen in other conditions. Photoparoxysmal response is highly indicative of a genetic generalized epilepsy, though may be seen in other epilepsy phenotypes. Relative attenuation of sleep spindles is a more reliable indicator of structural brain malformation than asymmetric photic driving. Significance: The quantitative diagnostic utility of EEG findings should be considered when incorporating these results into clinical decision-making.

A Case of Post-Colonoscopy Cecal Perforation in a 78-Year-Old Man Responding to Conservative Management.

Since the 1960s, colonoscopy has been the most extensively utilized diagnostic technique for colorectal cancer, and it is also a treatment tool for several colorectal diseases. Like many other medical treatments, it has complications, some of which might pose a major threat to the patient's health and wellbeing if not detected early enough. There is no consensus on the best way to treat colonoscopic perforation, and the majority of cases need immediate surgery. However, iatrogenic colon perforation can sometimes be treated conservatively. In this report, we describe a case of post-colonoscopic cecal perforation that was managed conservatively.

Multiple Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors With Findings of Intestinal Obstruction.

Carcinoid tumors are one of the most common types of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs). However, SI-NETs that manifest as subacute intestinal obstruction are extremely rare. The annual occurrence rate of jejuno-ileal NETs is 0.28-0.8 per 100,000 people. In this report, we describe a case of subacute intestinal obstruction due to a mid-ileal stricture. The patient underwent laparotomy after evaluation and investigation. Mid-ileal growth was noted, and small bowel resection was performed with primary end-to-end anastomosis. Postoperative histopathology revealed the growth to be a well-differentiated NET.

Hirayama Disease in a Patient with a History of Late-Onset Symptomatic Vein of Galen Aneurysmal Malformation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this report is to present a rare case of Hirayama disease (HD) in a patient with a history of late-onset symptomatic vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM). This report may provide new insights into the pathophysiology of HD, a rare disorder consisting of insidious onset of unilateral weakness and atrophy of the forearm and intrinsic hand muscles. These symptoms are believed to result from cervical myelopathy affecting the anterior horn cells due to abnormal compressive forces on the spinal cord from adjacent anatomical structures (i.e., dura and/or epidural veins), but this has not been proven. VGAM is a rare congenital cerebral vascular malformation, consisting of high-flow arteriovenous shunting between a persistent median prosencephalic vein and arterial feeders, which most frequently presents in the early neonatal period with congestive heart failure. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an otherwise healthy boy who presented with heart failure due to VGAM at 7 years and subsequently presented at 14 years with left-sided HD. His cervical MRI with neck flexion revealed enlarged epidural veins at the C5-C6 spinal level with anterior, leftward displacement of the posterior dura and spinal cord as well as left hemicord flattening and/or atrophy at this level. He underwent successful surgical treatment by C5-C6-C7 osteoplastic laminotomies and tenting and expansile autologous duraplasty, during which enlarged, engorged epidural veins were confirmed and coagulated. This halted the progression of his left hand weakness and atrophy and allowed significant functional improvement. Postoperative catheter angiogram showed no anatomical connection between the persistent VGAM and the engorged epidural veins, and genetic testing revealed no genetic predisposition of vascular malformations. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: In this patient, a combined surgical technique was performed that included epidural venous plexus coagulation with posterior autologous duraplasty and dural fixation using tenting sutures. This combined approach led to a favorable clinical and radiographic outcome with no complications or limitations and has not been previously proposed in the literature, to our knowledge. Although not completely ruled out, we found no angiographic connection or genetic predisposition to suggest there is a pathophysiological link between HD and VGAM.

Albumin administration in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis: a meta-analytic update.

End-stage liver disease and its related complications exert a huge disease burden and reduce the survival rates of many patients. Albumin administration for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis has been a controversial topic of discussion. The aim of this study is to investigate whether albumin reduces the mortality and complications of liver cirrhosis compared to standard medical therapy (SMT) alone. Clinical trials in which albumin administration was compared to SMT in patients with liver cirrhosis were included in this meta-analysis. The primary outcome of this study was to evaluate the effect on reducing all-cause mortality. Ascites control, renal failure and hepatic encephalopathy were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Nine clinical trials with 1231 patients were recruited and analyzed using the quality effect model. Mortality rate was significantly reduced in the albumin group [relative risk (RR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.96]. Heterogeneity was mild across all studies (I2 23.3%). Studies reporting long-term albumin (LTA) administration were found to have a significant decrease in mortality (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44-0.73). However, studies reporting short-term albumin administration were found to have no effect on mortality (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.56-1.45). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of all secondary outcomes. This meta-analysis provides evidence that LTA administration is significantly effective in reducing the mortality of liver cirrhosis compared to SMT. Albumin administration was also shown to reduce the occurrence of ascites, renal failure and hepatic encephalopathy as complications of liver cirrhosis.

Megalencephaly-Capillary Malformation-Polymicrogyria with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

Megalencephaly-capillary malformation-polymicrogyria (MCAP) syndrome (OMIM #602501) is characterized by megalencephaly, midline capillary malformations, and cortical malformations. This genetic overgrowth syndrome is associated with mosaic gain-of-function pathogenic PIK3CA variants (OMIM #171834).

Molecular Identification of Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes and Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates Recovered from Egyptian Patients.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics in clinical settings is thought to have led to the global emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of genes encoding aminoglycoside resistance and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance among clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. All K. pneumoniae isolates were phenotypically identified using API 20E and then confirmed genotypically through amplification of the specific K. pneumoniae phoE gene. All isolates were genotyped by the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction technique (ERIC-PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by a modified Kirby-Bauer method and broth microdilution. All resistant or intermediate-resistant isolates to either gentamicin or amikacin were screened for 7 different genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs). In addition, all resistant or intermediate-resistant isolates to either ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin were screened for 5 genes encoding the quinolone resistance protein (Qnr), 1 gene encoding quinolone-modifying enzyme, and 3 genes encoding quinolone efflux pumps. Biotyping using API 20E revealed 13 different biotypes. Genotyping demonstrated that all isolates were related to 2 main phylogenetic groups. Susceptibility testing revealed that carbapenems and tigecycline were the most effective agents. Investigation of genes encoding AMEs revealed that acc(6')-Ib was the most prevalent, followed by acc(3')-II, aph(3')-IV, and ant(3'')-I. Examination of genes encoding Qnr proteins demonstrated that qnrB was the most prevalent, followed by qnrS, qnrD, and qnrC. It was found that 61%, 26%, and 12% of quinolone-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates harbored acc(6')-Ib-cr, oqxAB, and qebA, respectively. The current study demonstrated a high prevalence of aminoglycoside and quinolone resistance genes among clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae.

Iodometric and Molecular Detection of ESBL Production Among Clinical Isolates of E. coli Fingerprinted by ERIC-PCR: The First Egyptian Report Declares the Emergence of E. coli O25b-ST131clone Harboring blaGES.

The extensive use of ß-lactam antibiotics has led to emergence and spread of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs). This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of 7 different ESBL genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaVEB, blaPER, blaGES, and blaOXA-10) and O25b-ST131 high-risk clone among 61 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli. Also, one broad-spectrum ß-lactamase (blaOXA-1) was investigated. This study was also constructed to evaluate iodometric overlay method in detection of ESBL production. Phenotypic identification of E. coli isolates using API 20E revealed 18 distinct biotypes. DNA fingerprinting using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) differentiated all isolates into 2 main phylogenetic groups with 60 distinct genetic profiles. Elevated values of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)50 and MIC90 for third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins were observed. Phenotypic tests revealed that 85.24% of isolates were ESBL producers. The incidence rates of blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaGES, blaOXA-1, and blaOXA-10 among E. coli ESBL producer phenotype were 69.23%, 25%, 96.15%, 3.85%, 11.54%, and 48%, respectively. On the other hand, blaVEB and blaPER were not detected. Sequencing of blaTEM and blaSHV revealed that blaTEM-214 and blaSHV-11 were the most prevalent variants. Group characterization of blaCTX-M revealed that blaCTX-M-1 was the most prevalent group of blaCTX-M family. It was found that 30.77% of E. coli ESBL producers belonged to O25b-ST131 clone harboring blaCTX-M-15. This study concluded that iodometric overlay method was 100% sensitive in detection of ESBL production. To our knowledge, this is the first Egyptian study that declares the emergence of E. coli O25b-ST131 harboring blaGES.

A three-year study of a first-generation chemotherapy-compounding robot.

PURPOSE: Results of a performance evaluation of an automated system for compounding antineoplastic preparations are reported. METHODS: Three years after the pharmacy department of a hospital in Saudi Arabia installed an i.v.-compounding robot (CytoCare, Health Robotics), data captured by the pharmacy information system and the machine's integrated software were analyzed to assess the performance of the robot in terms of compounding accuracy, days of operation, and downtime. RESULTS: The robot was used to prepare 3.82%, 10.80%, and 13.79% of selected antineoplastics compounded in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. The robot failed to meet the specified dose accuracy range of ±5% in compounding 3 of 337 chemotherapy preparations (0.9%) in 2010, 349 of 1516 preparations (23%) in 2011, and 460 of 2993 preparations (15%) in 2012. The robot was operational on 40%, 39%, and 61% of available workdays in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. Robot throughput relative to the pharmacy's manual compounding process was low, with substantial medication waste resulting from dose preparation failures. Implementation challenges included workflow disruptions due to robot downtime, mechanical issues (e.g., robot arm-clamping failures), difficulty obtaining gravimetric data for some drugs, and the need to recalibrate the device to accept i.v. bags, syringes, and medication vials incompatible with manufacturer specifications. CONCLUSION: The introduction of a chemotherapy-compounding robot for preparation of patient-specific i.v. antineoplastic drugs had a limited efficiency impact in practice. This solution, with its numerous limitations and technical difficulties, is not yet mature enough for universal adoption.

First report of NDM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Egypt.

This work reports the occurrence of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) in metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Egypt for the first time, and the presence of more than one blaMBL gene in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Antimicrobial resistance pattern and their beta-lactamase encoding genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cancer patients.

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of metallo-ß-lactamases (MBL) and extended-spectrum ß -lactamases (ESBL) in P. aeruginosa isolates collected from two different hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and phenotypic screening for ESBLs and MBLs were performed on 122 P. aeruginosa isolates collected in the period from January 2011 to March 2012. MICs were determined. ESBLs and MBLs genes were sought by PCR. The resistant rate to imipenem was 39.34%. The resistance rates for P. aeruginosa to cefuroxime, cefoperazone, ceftazidime, aztreonam, and piperacillin/tazobactam were 87.7%, 80.3%, 60.6%, 45.1%, and 25.4%, respectively. Out of 122 P. aeruginosa, 27% and 7.4% were MBL and ESBL, respectively. The prevalence of bla(VIM-2), bla(OXA-10(-)), bla(VEB-1), bla(NDM(-)), and bla(IMP-1)-like genes were found in 58.3%, 41.7%, 10.4%, 4.2%, and 2.1%, respectively. GIM-, SPM-, SIM-, and OXA-2-like genes were not detected in this study. OXA-10-like gene was concomitant with VIM-2 and/or VEB. Twelve isolates harbored both OXA-10 and VIM-2; two isolates carried both OXA-10 and VEB. Only one strain contained OXA-10, VIM-2, and VEB. In conclusion, bla(VIM-2)- and bla(OXA-10)-like genes were the most prevalent genes in P. aeruginosa in Egypt. To our knowledge, this is the first report of bla(VIM-2), bla(IMP-1), bla(NDM), and bla(OXA-10) in P. aeruginosa in Egypt.

Netrin-1 promotes excitatory synaptogenesis between cortical neurons by initiating synapse assembly.

Netrin-1 is a secreted protein that directs long-range axon guidance during early stages of neural circuit formation and continues to be expressed in the mammalian forebrain during the postnatal period of peak synapse formation. Here we demonstrate a synaptogenic function of netrin-1 in rat and mouse cortical neurons and investigate the underlying mechanism. We report that netrin-1 and its receptor DCC are widely expressed by neurons in the developing mammalian cortex during synapse formation and are enriched at synapses in vivo. We detect DCC protein distributed along the axons and dendrites of cultured cortical neurons and provide evidence that newly translated netrin-1 is selectively transported to dendrites. Using gain and loss of function manipulations, we demonstrate that netrin-1 increases the number and strength of excitatory synapses made between developing cortical neurons. We show that netrin-1 increases the complexity of axon and dendrite arbors, thereby increasing the probability of contact. At sites of contact, netrin-1 promotes adhesion, while locally enriching and reorganizing the underlying actin cytoskeleton through Src family kinase signaling and m-Tor-dependent protein translation to locally cluster presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins. Finally, we demonstrate using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology that netrin-1 increases the frequency and amplitude of mEPSCs recorded from cortical pyramidal neurons. These findings identify netrin-1 as a synapse-enriched protein that promotes synaptogenesis between mammalian cortical neurons.

Screening for Y-chromosome microdeletions in a population of infertile males in the Gaza Strip.

Infertility is an extraordinary public health problem in the Arab world, as it affects about 15% of couples seeking children. The male partner is responsible for infertility in approximately half of these cases. Classic microdeletions of the Y-chromosome involving the azoospermia factor (AZF) regions are known to be associated with spermatogenic impairment, and non-obstructive azoospermia must be differentiated on the basis of endocrine evaluation and testicular biopsy. Partial AZFc deletions remain controversial because there is no clear agreement regarding their role in spermatogenic failure. In the current study, 50 fertile males (controls) and 125 patients with primary idiopathic male infertility were studied in order to describe the frequency of Y-chromosome mirodeletions among male infertility patients in the Gaza Strip-Palestine area. No Y chromosome classical microdeletions could be detected in any of the 125 infertile men, suggesting that ethnic factors, genetic background, and Y chromosome haplogroups are key factors in such deletions. On the other hand, six gr/gr and one b1/b3 AZFc partial deletions were detected in the infertile population. The gr/gr deletion was also noted in relatives of four of the six patients with this deletion, and in one of the fertile controls. In conclusion, our study shows that the incidence of Y-chromosome microdeletions in our population is rare; these data suggest that other genetic, epigenetic, nutritional and/or local factors are responsible for impairments in semen parameters observed in this Gazan population. We further hypothesise that the gr/gr deletion is not associated with male infertility, at least in this sub-group.

Cytokine profile in Egyptian hepatitis C virus genotype-4 in relation to liver disease progression.

AIM: To observe the imbalance between T helper cell Th1 and Th2 cytokines in several chronic hepatitis disease at different stages of disease progression. METHODS: We measured the cytokine levels of Th1 (IL-2 and IL-2R), Th2 (IL-10) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-6R and TNF and TNF-RI and II) by the ELISA technique in the sera of 33 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 20 chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. In addition, 20 asymptomatic hepatitis C virus carriers and 20 healthy subjects negative for hepatitis C virus(HCV) markers served as controls. RESULTS: Anti-HCV antibodies were found to be positive in 94% of HCC cases and 75% of CLD cases. On the other hand, HCV viremia was detected using RT-PCR in 67% of HCC cases and 65% of CLD cases. HBsAg was positive in 9% of HCC cases and 30% of CLD cases. Also bilharzial-Ab was positive in 55% of HCC cases, 65% of CLD cases and in 70% of asymptomatic carriers (ASC). HCC patients had significantly higher values of IL-2R, TNF-RII (P<0.001), and TNF-RI (P>0.05), but lower TNFalpha (P<0.001) and IL-6 (P = 0.032) in comparison to ASC. But, in comparison to non-cancer controls, HCC patients had higher values of IL-2R, IL-6R, TNF-RI and TNF-RII, but lower TNF-alpha (P<0.001). CLD patients had higher IL-2R, TNF-RI, and TNF-RII (P<0.001) than ASC. But, in comparison to non-cancer controls, CLD patients had higher values of IL-2R, TNF-RI and TNF-RII, but lower TNF-alpha (P<0.001). IL-10 was higher (though not significantly) in HCC and CLD patients than in symptomatic carriers and non-cancer controls. CONCLUSION: Liver disease progression from CLD to HCC due to HCV genotype-4 infection is associated with an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines. IL-2R, TNF-RI, and TNF-RII could be used as potential markers.