miR-516a-3P, a potential circulating biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma, correlated with rs738409 polymorphism in PNPLA3.

Aim: The aim was to investigate the expression profile of miR-516a-3P and its correlation with the PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism in Egyptian hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Materials & methods: miR-516a-3P was quantified and rs738409 was genotyped by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: miR-516a-3P was significantly upregulated in HCC patients compared with HCV patients (p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed that miR-516a-3P discriminates HCC from HCV (p = 0.001). A significant (p = 0.015) correlation between miR-516a-3p level and PNPLA3 rs738409 genotypes was recorded in HCV patients, yet it was not recorded in either healthy individuals or HCC patients. miR-516a-3p level was significantly (p = 0.001) higher in HCV patients carrying the rs738409 GG genotype than in those carrying the CC genotype. Conclusion: miR-516a-3P is a potential biomarker in HCC. PNPLA3 rs738409 GG carriers affect miR-516a-3P expression in HCV, and this may highlight a new mechanism in liver disease.

In the past decade, miRNAs were established as biomarkers in various cancers, including liver cancer. Information about the deregulation of miR-516a-3p and its efficiency as a biomarker in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and liver cancer patients is lacking globally and in Egypt. This study proved for the first time that miR-516a-3p is differentially expressed in HCV and liver cancer patients and is statistically efficient in discriminating between them, so it might be used for early detection of HCC. Genetic variants that affect expression levels of genes are called expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), and those acting on genes on other chromosomes are called trans-eQTL. The authors speculate that rs738409 is a genetic variant that might have a trans-eQTL effect on the miR-516a-3p gene in HCV patients.

Evaluation of the Biological Efficiency of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Croton tiglium L. Seeds Extract against Azoxymethane Induced Colon Cancer in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered as the most common type of gastrointestinal cancers. Chemotherapy became limited due to the adverse side effects. Therefore, the most effective Croton tiglium extract was selected to be incorporated by silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) then evaluated against colon cancer induced by azoxymethane (AOM) in rats. METHODS: Different hematological and biochemical measurements were quantified in addition to markers of oxidative stress. Specific tumor and inflammatory markers were assayed. Colonic tissues were examined histopathologically in addition to immunohistochemistry (IHC). Native proteins and isoenzymes patterns were electrophoretically assayed beside expression of Tumor Protein P53 (TP53) and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) genes in colonic tissues. RESULTS: It was found that AOM caused significant (P≤0.05) elevation in the hematological and biochemical measurements. C. tiglium nano-extract restored these measurements to normalcy. Tumor and inflammatory markers elevated significantly (P≤0.05) in sera of AOM induced colon cancer group in addition to increasing peroxidation products with decline in antioxidant enzymes activities in colon tissues. Nano-extract restored these measurements to normalcy in post-treated group. Histopathological study revealed that nano-extract minimized severity of inflammatory reactions in all nano-extract treated groups and prevented  anti-Keratin 20 antibody expression in post-treated group. The lowest similarity index (SI%) values were noticed with electrophoretic protein (SI=71.43%), lipid (SI=0.00%) and calcium (SI=75.00%) moieties of protein patterns, catalase (SI=85.71%), peroxidase (SI=85.71%), α-esterase (SI=50.00%) and ß-esterase (SI=50.00%) isoenzymes in colon cancer group. Furthermore, AOM altered the relative quantities of total native bands. The nano-extract prevented the alterations that occurred qualitatively in nano-extract post-treated group and quantitatively in all nano-extract treated groups. Levels of TP53 and APC gene expression increased in AOM injected group and nano-extract restored their levels to normalcy in the post-treated group. CONCLUSION: C. tiglium nano-extract exhibited ameliorative effect against the biochemical and molecular alterations induced by AOM in nano-extract post-treated group.

The value of CSF flow studies in the management of CSF disorders in children: a pictorial review.

CSF flow disorders are frequently encountered in children. The advent of MR technology with the emergence of new pulse sequences allowed better understanding of CSF flow dynamics. In this pictorial review, we aim to conduct a comprehensive review of the MR protocol used to study CSF flow disorders and to discuss the utility of each pulse sequence in the adopted protocol. We will focus on the key anatomical structures that should be examined to differentiate hydrocephalus form ventricular dilatation ex-vacuo. The MR features of obstructive and communicating hydrocephalus will be discussed, in addition to the manifestations of CSF disorders associated with posterior fossa malformations (Dandy-Walker malformation, Chiari, and Blake's pouch cyst). Moreover, the value of MRI in the assessment of patients following interventional procedures (ventriculoperitoneal shunt and third ventriculostomy) will be addressed.

Phase-contrast and three-dimensional driven equilibrium (3D-DRIVE) sequences in the assessment of paediatric obstructive hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Recently, most cases of hydrocephalus are related to obstruction. Accurate localization of the site of obstruction is crucial in determination of the treatment strategy. PURPOSE: To describe the phase-contrast and 3D-DRIVE findings in cases of obstructive hydrocephalus in paediatric patients and to determine their functional and anatomical correlates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Brain MRIs of 25 patients (2 months to 11 years) with obstructive hydrocephalus were retrospectively reviewed. Phase-contrast and 3D-DRIVE were performed to assess cerebrospinal (CSF) pathways through the aqueduct of Sylvius and subarachnoid spaces. In addition to flow velocity measurement at the aqueduct of Sylvius, functional and anatomical correlation was analysed at the level of aqueduct of Sylvius, infracerebellar CSF space and at the third ventriculostomy using Spearman's rank test. RESULTS: Aqueduct of Sylvius was the most common site of obstruction (19 patients) either secondary to focal, multifocal or tubular stenosis, adhesions, or secondary to extrinsic compression. Functional and anatomical correlation was analysed in 58 regions revealing strong correlation (ro = 0.8, p < .001). Functional anatomical mismatch was found in nine regions. Flow velocity measurements revealed diminished flow in most of the cases with obstruction at the aqueduct and normal velocity in cases with obstruction proximal to aqueductal level, while accelerated flow was seen in cases with infra-aqeuductal obstruction. CONCLUSION: Phase-contrast and 3D-DRIVE sequences are essential sequences in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus enabling perfect localization of the site of obstruction. Both sequences should be interpreted in conjunction to avoid false results. Velocity measurements through the aqueduct can help understand CSF hydrodynamics.

Contralateral breast volume measurement during chest CT for postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Successful breast reconstruction after mastectomy may be guided by knowledge of the contralateral breast volume. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction based on a CT examination was used to determine the volume of the contralateral normal breast before postmastectomy breast reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen female patients scheduled for postmastectomy breast reconstruction using silicon implant prostheses were using noncontrast CT scans of the chest for metastatic work-up. The CT scans were used to measure the volume of contralateral normal breast. The volume estimates were used to specify the proper implant size for cosmesis. The estimated CT volume was correlated with volume estimates obtained using water displacement, as well as anthropometric measurements performed by a plastic surgeon. RESULTS: Breast volume estimates obtained from CT scans were highly correlated with volumes measured by the two nonradiological methods, yielding a positive linear correlation coefficient (r = 0.99). CONCLUSION: Volume measurement of the intact breast should be added to reports of routine chest CT studies in patients who undergo mastectomy. CT imaging is a feasible method for contralateral normal breast volume measurement in these patients.