Reasons individuals stop eating questionnaire (RISE-Q) among adults in the United Arab Emirates.

The relationship between obesity and satiation is complex and bidirectional. Understanding differences in reasons for meal termination may enhance our understanding of overeating risks and susceptibility to overconsumption. This study aimed to investigate the reasons why individuals in the UAE stop eating. A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted among adults ≥18 years in the UAE (n = 1482). Using a self-administered online questionnaire, we collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and eating behavior using the Reasons Individuals Stop Eating-Questionnaire (RISE-Q-15) used twice for breakfast/main meal. The items were categorized into five scales; decreased food appeal (DFA), physical satisfaction (PS), planned amount (PA), self-consciousness (SC), and decreased priority of eating (DPE). All items were scored from 1 to 7 ranging between 3 to 21 on each scale. A paired t-test was used to evaluate the difference between the RISE-Q scores on each scale concerning the two meals. The main reason why participants stopped eating breakfast was under the PS scale (14.91 ± 3.72), followed by the PA scale (14.58 ± 3.00). The main reason why participants stopped eating main meals was under the PS scale (14.78 ± 3.56), followed by the PA scale (14.77 ± 43.81). The mean score of the DPE scale was significantly higher for breakfast than the main meal (p = 0.038). More than half of the participants reported an average eating rate (58.7%). Pearson's chi-square analysis revealed that the eating rate was dependent on BMI (p<0.001). Considering individual mealtimes and addressing factors related to PS and PA of food is crucial when designing nutrition interventions aiming to promote healthy eating habits among adults in the UAE.

Gasdermin D: A potential mediator and prognostic marker of bladder cancer.

Background: Bladder cancer is considered one of the commonest widespread cancers, its presentation ranges from non-muscle invasive form to being muscle-invasive. The gasdermin family of proteins consists of six proteins. Members of gasdermin family are involved in pyroptosis; which is considered as type of inflammatory apoptosis via participation of gasdermin D and inflammatory caspases. Purpose: The goal of this research was to look into the potential involvement of gasdermin D in pathogenesis of bladder cancer, In addition, to investigate its potential role as a prognostic marker of bladder cancer. Methods: Gasdermin D gene and protein expression was examined in fresh frozen 80 bladder cancer specimens (30 NMIBC, and 50 MIBC) and the matching 80 control tissue samples utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Furthermore, the immunoreactivity of gasdermin D protein was also detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Gasdermin D gene and protein expression showed a highly significant difference between the control and the two bladder cancer groups (p < 0.001), as demonstrated by real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that lower gasdermin D gene expression in cancer patients (≤1.58-fold), and younger age (≤53 years) were linked with a higher risk of local tumor recurrence. Moreover, higher gasdermin D gene expression (>2.18-fold), and lymph nodes' involvement were associated with an increased mortality. Conclusion: Gasdermin D is involved in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer and muscle invasion, in addition, tissue gasdermin D expression may be used as useful tool to predict local tumor recurrence.

De novo chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in the graft three decades after renal transplantation in a patient with a history of three renal transplants.

De novo renal allograft tumors were reported sporadically. Most of them were small, low-grade, and papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) type. A 46-year-old male presented with hematuria three decades after the first transplant. The patient had a history of three renal transplants. A tumor (12 cm × 13 cm) was diagnosed in the nonfunctioning first transplanted kidney. Radical nephrectomy of the graft harboring the tumor with preservation of the adjacent functioning graft was done and identified to be chromophobe RCC. After two-year follow-up, the patients had a perfect graft function with no evidence of oncological failure. We suggest that allograft tumor be considered in patient evaluation for hematuria. Regular follow-up imaging of transplanted kidney is mandatory even after graft failure for early detection of graft tumors.

Epidermal growth factor expression as a predictor of chemotherapeutic resistance in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is believed to be associated with bladder cancer (BC) progression and poor clinical outcomes. In vivo studies have linked EGFR subcellular trafficking and chemo-resistance to cisplatin-based chemotherapies. This has not been studied in the clinical adjuvant setting. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of EGFR expression in patients receiving cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy following radical cystectomy for advanced BC. METHODS: The database from the Urology and Nephrology Center at Mansoura University was reviewed. BC patients who were treated with radical cystectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy for adverse pathological features or node positive disease were identified. Patients who underwent palliative cystectomy, had histological diagnoses other than pure urothelial carcinoma, or received adjuvant radiotherapy were excluded from the study. Immunohistochemical staining for EGFR expression was performed on archived bladder specimens. The following in vitro functional analyses were performed to study the relationship of EGFR expression and chemoresponse. RESULTS: The study included 58 patients, among which the mean age was 57 years old. Majority of patients had node positive disease (n = 53, 91%). Mean follow up was 26.61 months. EGFR was overexpressed in 25 cystectomy specimens (43%). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that EGFR over-expression significantly correlated with disease recurrence (p = 0.021). Cox proportional hazard modeling identified EGFR overexpression as an independent predictor for disease recurrence (p = 0.04). Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that inhibition of EGFR may sensitize cellular responses to cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that EGFR overexpression is associated with disease recurrence following adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced BC. This may aid in patient prognostication and selection prior to chemotherapeutic treatment for BC.

LPS-RS attenuation of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury involves NF-κB inhibition.

In this study, we studied the effect of lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPS-RS), an inhibitor of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), in LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with LPS-RS (0.1 mg/kg body mass, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection) 1 h before LPS injection (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were collected 24 h later to determine total and differential cell count, total protein content, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), histopathological changes, markers of oxidative stress, and mRNA expression of the inhibitory protein nuclear factor kappaB-α (NFκBIA) and TLR4. Additionally, rings of pulmonary artery were isolated for measuring vascular reactivity. LPS-induced ALI was indicated by increases in total and differential cell count, total protein, and LDH in BALF, and increased lung levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as decreased activity of reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, LPS increased pulmonary artery contraction in response to phenylephrine (PE). Additionally, LPS downregulated mRNA expression of NFκBIA and upregulated mRNA expression of TLR4. LPS caused a marked inflammation in the lung tissue, with tubercular granuloma and numerous neutrophils. Pretreatment with LPS-RS protected against LPS-induced ALI by decreasing total and differential cell count, total protein, and LDH in BALF, and increased pulmonary GSH content and SOD activity without affecting MDA content. Additionally, it decreased the elevated PE-induced pulmonary artery contraction. LPS-RS upregulated mRNA expression of NFκBIA and downregulated mRNA expression of TLR4. Moreover, LPS-RS prevented inflammation in lung tissues. In conclusion, pretreatment with LPS-RS protects against LPS-induced ALI in rats through its anti-inflammatory effects, possibly by decreasing the mRNA expression of TLR4 and increasing that of NFκBIA.

Hyperechogenic renal parenchyma in potential live related kidney donors: Does it justify exclusion?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictive importance of ultrasonic grade 1 hyperechogenicity in potential live related kidney donors in the absence of urinary abnormalities and with perfect renal function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 34 potential living related kidney donors with this abnormality; their mean (SD, range) age was 32.7 (8.45, 23-48) years. Ten matched healthy donors with normal ultrasonographic appearance of the kidneys were studied as controls. All cases were thoroughly investigated, including measuring glomerular filtration rate by isotopic scintigraphy. The renal reserve was estimated by dopamine and amino-acid infusion in all subjects (study and control groups). A percutaneous renal biopsy was taken from 17 subjects in the abnormal echogenicity group and open renal biopsy was taken from eight of the control subjects. RESULTS: The renal reserve was comparable in both groups. Abnormal histopathological changes were found in seven subjects (41%) of the abnormal echogenicity group, i.e. partial glomerulosclerosis in one, mesangial thickening in two, interstitial fibrosis in one, focal tubular atrophy in one, immunoglobulin (Ig M) immune deposits in three and IgA in one. Only one subject in the control group showed mild mesangial thickening. CONCLUSION: Grade 1 echogenicity might be a sign of unrecognized kidney disease. Renal biopsy is mandatory when such related donors are the only available ones. Abnormal histopathology contraindicates donation.