Hanan Hassan Fouad

(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome are associated with decreased vitamin D. In contrast, high pro-neurotensin (pro-{NT}) levels are linked with an increased risk of T2DM and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the validity of pro-{NT} and 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 levels as predictors for T2DM complications; (2) Methods: One hundred T2DM, and one hundred healthy volunteers participated in this case-control study. Their Pro-{NT} and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were evaluated using the {ELISA} technique; (3) Results: Pro-{NT} and 25 ({OH}) vitamin D3 have significant validity and accuracy in T2DM prediction, 84.5%, and 90.5%, respectively (p = 0.001). At a value of {\textless}29.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 showed 88% sensitivity and 93% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of {\textgreater}124 Pmol/L, Pro-{NT} showed 81% sensitivity and 88% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of 16.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 had 78.4% sensitivity and 68.3% specificity in predicting T2DM complications. At a value of {\textgreater}158 pmol/L, Pro-{NT} predicted T2DM complications with 67.6% sensitivity and 56.0% specificity; (4) Conclusions: 25 ({OH}) Vit D3 and Pro-{NT} could identify T2DM patients and predict T2DM complications. More extensive research is required to adequately validate this novel perspective with a large population study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the neurodegenerative illnesses that impair individual life & increase the demand for caregivers with no available curative medication right now. Therefore, there is a growing concern about employing herbal medicine to limit AD progression & improve patients' life quality, thus potentiating its add-on therapy. In addition, herbs are cost-effective & accessible with nearly no side effects. In the same vein, our study aimed to investigate the potency of Echinacea purpurea (EP) flower extracts to ameliorate the neurodegenerative effect of Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in a rat model. Moreover, mechanistic studies, including impact on the cholinesterase activity, redox status, inflammatory mediators, behavior performance, glucose level & histopathology, were carried on. Our results showed that 250 mg/kg of Aqueous (AQ) & Alcoholic (AL) extracts of EP inhibited cholinesterase, restored oxidative balance, down-regulated IL-6 & TNF-α cytokines & improved behavior performance in vivo that was reflected in the brain picture by decreasing neuronal degeneration & amyloid plaques in cerebral cortex & hippocampus. The potency of both extracts was compared to reference drugs & AlCl3 positive control group. The AQ extract showed greater potency against COX-1, COX-2 & α-amylase in vitro, while the AL extract was more potent against cholinesterase in vitro, inflammatory cytokines, behavior & pathological improvement in vivo. Conclusively EP overcame AlCl3-induced neurobehavioral toxicity in the rat model via different pathways, which support its regular administration to postpone progressive neural damage in AD patients.

BACKGROUND: Severe pruritus caused by progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) and Alagille syndrome (AGS) is refractory to medical treatment. Surgical interruption of the enterohepatic circulation is considered the mainstay of alleviating distressing symptoms and delaying cirrhosis.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the short-term effect of partial external biliary diversion (PEBD) on pruritus, liver disease progression, patient's growth, and quality of life.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled children with PFIC and AGS from July 2019 to July 2021, whose guardians consented to the PEBD procedure. A standard surgical approach was performed by a single surgeon. Outcomes were measured subjectively and objectively pre- and post-procedure using the pruritus 5-D itching score, Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory scale (PedsQL), growth parameters, bile acids level, and liver function tests. Patients' follow-up period ranged from 6 to 12 months.

RESULTS: Seven patients had PEBD procedure; five with PFIC and two with AGS. A significant improvement was detected in the 5-D itching score (p-value < 0.001), PedsQL (p-value < 0.001), and bile acids level (p-value 0.013). The preexisting growth failure was ameliorated. The downward trend in the bilirubin level was not significant. No influential difference in the other liver function tests occurred. No intra-operative complications encountered. Only one case had a post-operative stoma prolapse which was managed surgically.

CONCLUSION: PEBD procedure could be considered as an effective and safe treatment options for intractable pruritus in patients with PFIC or AGS, providing preserved synthetic liver functions.

Rainfall depth is a crucial parameter in water resources and hydrological studies. Rain gauges provide the most reliable point-based rainfall estimates. However, they do not have a proper density/distribution to provide sufficient rainfall measurements in many areas, especially in arid regions. To evaluate the adequacy of satellite datasets as an alternative to the rain gauges, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is selected for the current study as a representative of the arid regions. KSA occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula and is characterized by high variability in topographic and climatic conditions. Five satellite precipitation datasets (SPDSs)—CMORPH, PERSIANN-CDR, CHIRPS V2.0, TMPA 3B42 V7, and GPM IMERG V6—are evaluated versus 324 conventional rain-gauges’ daily precipitation measures. The evaluation is conducted based on nine quantitative and categorical metrics. The evaluation analysis is carried out for daily, monthly, yearly, and maximum yearly records. The daily analysis revealed a low correlation for all SPDSs (<0.31), slightly improved in the yearly and maximum yearly analysis and reached its highest value (0.58) in the monthly analysis. The GPM IMERG V6 and PERSIANN-CDR have the highest probability of detection (0.55) but with a high false alarm ratio (>0.8). Accordingly, in arid regions, the use of daily SPDSs in rainfall estimation will lead to high uncertainty in the obtained results. The best performance for all statistical metrics was found at 500–750 m altitudes in the central and northern parts of the study area for all satellites except minor anomalies. CMORPH dataset has the lowest centered root mean square error (RMSEc) for all analysis periods with the best results in the monthly analyses.