Medical Sector

This study aimed to investigate the antitumor effects of Ecbalium elaterium (squirting cucumber) (Cucurbitaceae) fruit juice and some fruit extracts as well as bee honey separately and in mixture. The fruit juice of E. elaterium, which is found to be rich in cucarbitacins, was selected for further evaluation of antitumor activity on the bases of a phytochemical study by thin layer chromatographic technique (TLC). The antitumor effects of the fruit juice and bee honey (separately and in mixture) were assessed for human brain tumor cell line (U251) using trypan blue exclusion assay for evaluating cytotoxicity, and H3-thymidine assay for estimating DNA synthesis. ELISA technique for measuring cell cycle regulation and the evaluation of the effects on metastasis and angiogenesis were also achieved. Results suggested that honey did not inhibit tumor cell growth through cyclin D1, P21 regulation or cell number reduction but through a significant inhibition of DNA synthesis. Results showed that E. elaterium fruit juice significantly down regulated P21, up-regulated cyclin D1, decreased cell number and inhibited DNA synthesis. Mixing of honey with E. elaterium fruit juice decreased the cytotoxicity induced by the latter and produced intermediate inhibition of DNA synthesis and down regulation of P21. All treatments inhibited MMP2 and MMP9. Thus, honey was able to reduce the cytotoxic effect of E. elaterium juice on glioblastoma cells enhancing its ability of inhibiting DNA synthesis and they acting together as antiangiogenic and antimetastatic agents.

IF: 3.821

Background, congenital anomaly is a defect that is present at birth, and can result from either genetic, environmental factors, or both. Aim, was to explore the risk factors which may lead to fetal congenital anomalies. Design, a descriptive research design was adopted. Sample, a total of 100 pregnant women was recruited according to the following criteria: pregnant in a fetus with a congenital anomaly; at any reproductive age; no specific gravidity or parity; single or multiple gestations. Setting, Fetal Medicine Unit at El-Manial Maternity Hospital. Tools, two tools were constructed and filled in by the researchers: 1) Ultrasonographic fetal assessment record 2) structured interview schedule. Results, age range of the pregnant women were 17-44 years with a mean of 26.52 +5.48 years old. Twelve percent of them cannot read and write while, 22% had university education. Renal anomalies, central nervous system (CNS), muscloskeletal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal anomalies were the most common congenital anomalies constituted 38%, 31%, 20%, 10%, 8% respectively of the total anomalies. Regarding to risk factors for congenital anomalies, 44% of the pregnant women had first degree consanguinity, 17% had a family history of a congenital anomalies, 19% had a previous child with a congenital anomalies, 33% gave a history of consuming drugs during present pregnancy, 21% of the pregnant women live near industrial source and 22% of them experienced infection during present pregnancy. In conclusion, renal, CNS and muscloskeletal anomalies were the most common type of congenital anomalies. Positive consanguinity, family history for congenital anomalies, previous child with a congenital anomaly, consuming drugs during pregnancy, living near industrial source and exposure to infections during pregnancy, were the most common risk factors associated with congenital anomalies. Recommendations, premarital examination for consanguineous marriages should be encouraged. Antenatal care is very important for suspecting and early detection of congenital anomalies.

Analysis of the literature reveals that metabolic syndrome is invariably linked to microvascular disturbances, such as abnormalities in arteriolar reactivity, capillary recruitment, permeability, and hemorheology. The aim of this study was to assess skin microcirculation under baseline conditions and maximum skin hyperemia in response to heating (vasodilatory capacity)

Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 90% of primary liver neoplams. Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus worldwide and has rising rates of hepatocellular carcinamo. Alph Feto protien has been the most widely used plasma marker for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with HCC. Several studies indicated that high plasma levels of AFP are related to poor prognosis. Thus, idintification of novel biochemical markers for HCC remains an important goal. Interleukin-18 plays a critical role in the host defense against intracelllular infection and also it induces autoimmunie disease. Method: This study was conducted on a atotal of 120 patientsTeh patients were subdivided into group I that incluyded 20 normal healthy subjects, Group II that included 100 HCC patinets confirmed by pathology, cytology, imaging and serum a-Fetoprotein. Results: The mean level of IL-18 was significanlty higher in HCC pateints (238+145pg/ml) compared to controls (52+13 pg/ml), P<0.001. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-18 and tumor size. Conclusion: IL-18 could be used as an additional non-invasive marker for monitoring the degree of disease severity in HCC.

Introduction: The production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? has been deeply deregulated in systemic lupus erythematosus. We evaluated the association of -863C>A and -1031T>C polymorphisms of the TNF gene with susceptibility to and clinical manifestations of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adenoid hypertrophy is the most common cause of pediatric upper airway obstruction, and it can lead to cardiopulmonary complications such as pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, and even heart failure. The aim of this study was to detect the asymptomatic cardiopulmonary changes that could happen in children with adenoid hypertrophy.

Background:? Celiac disease (CD) is the most frequent enteropathy in adults and its coexistence with other autoimmune diseases is frequent. Objective:? To detect asymptomatic CD in children with rheumatic diseases by measuring tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies and finding any relation to disease activity. Patients and methods:? Setting and study design: The study included 60 children with juvenile rheumatic diseases consecutively from those attending the Rheumatology Clinics of Cairo University Hospitals: 30 juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), 10 juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 12 juvenile seronegative spondyloarthropathy and eight juvenile systemic sclerosis/polymyositis (SSc/PM) overlap syndrome were

Background: Atherosclerotic aortic arch plaques (AAP) have been linked to an increased risk of thrombo-embolic events as a cause of acute ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology.

A series of novel benzoxepin-derived compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their sedative-hypnotic effect using Phenobarbital induced sleep test in mice. Compound 6 in which the Phenobarbital moiety was incorporated into the benzoxepin nucleus was the most active one. Molecular modeling, including fitting to a 3D-pharmacophore model using Discovery Studio 2.1 programs into optimized benzodiazepine receptor (hypothesis) showed high fit values.

The leaf ethanol extract of Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. has evidenced medicinal value due to its hepatoprotective activity. It demonstrated inhibitory effects on test standard microbes approximated to 40% the potency of ofloxacin and fluconazole. The same extract evidenced in vitro cytotoxicity on human cell lines, liver carcinoma HEPG2, larynx carcinoma HEP2, and colon carcinoma HCT116 cell lines when compared to doxorubicin. Materials and Methods: Fractionation of the leaf ethanol extract led to the isolation of the polyphenols, ethyl gallate, and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, a hydrocarbon, hendecane, the fatty acid ester, methyl linoleate, and four triterpenoids, betulonic acid, 3-acetyl-methyl betulinate, lupenone and lupeol for the first time, in addition to the previously reported phenol acids and flavonoids, gallic acid, methyl gallate, quercetin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O-galactoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-arabinoside. Results: The ethanol extract of the fruit of the genetically related Rhus coriaria L., known as sumac, afforded protocatechuic acid, isoquercitrin, and myricetin-3-O-?-L-rhamnoside from the fruits for the first time, in addition to the previously reported phenol acids and flavonoids, gallic acid, methyl gallate, kaempferol, and quercetin. Conclusion: The leaf ethanol extract of H. caffrum Bernh. exhibited variable antiinflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities, besides the hepatoprotective, in vitro cytotoxic and anti-microbial activities.

Background: Laterally wedged insoles have controversial effect in treating medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. This study examined the effects of unilateral and bilateral use of insoles having medial arch supports and of different inclinations on the frontal plane external hip, knee, subtalar moments and pelvic alignment.

Background: Various methods have been described for tonsillectomy. Convincing evidence in the literature is still lacking regarding the optimal method of performing this surgical procedure.

Objective: To assess bone mineral density (BMD), body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and various biochemical markers of bone growth and resorption in a group of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Cholestasis can be defined as the accumulation of substances normally excreted in bile (e.g. bilirubin, bile acids, and cholesterol). The process occurs as a result of impaired bile formation by the hepatocytes or from obstruction to the flow of bile through the intra hepatic and extra hepatic biliary tree. The aim of this study was to make laboratory assessment of bone mineral status and detection of the impact of different biliary diseases, its severity, duration and applied management on these values. The present study included forty patients, twenty four males (60%) and sixteen females (40%) who had cholestatic liver diseases for more than 3 months and followed up in the hepatology clinic, Cairo University and twenty healthy age and sex matched controls.